Crieff hospital unit to close this weekend, ahead of schedule

A Crieff hospital unit which has had its operating hours temporarily reduced because of a staffing crisis will close this weekend, health chiefs have confirmed.

The Minor Injury and Illness Unit (MIIU) was due to be open on Saturday and Sunday, before new opening times were introduced on Wednesday.

However, the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership announced yesterday afternoon that it will be shut ahead of schedule.

It is due to reopen on Monday between 9am and 5pm.

From August 1, the Pitlochry MIIU will open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays and 9am to 9pm at weekends.

Patients have been advised to use the NHS 24 service outwith these hours.

Health bosses said they cannot say when both hospitals will return to normal opening times.

The partnership’s chief officer Robert Packham said: “We would like to apologise for any disruption this may cause.

“It is essential that we provide an MIIU service with appropriately skilled staff which is safe for patients and staff. Due to staffing difficulties, we have had to make the decision to restrict the opening of the unit for a temporary period.”

Politicians said the closures will have a big impact on communities.