One vacancy at the beleaguered Pitlochry Community Hospital has been filled, but another had to be advertised again due to a lack of suitable applicants.
The hospital’s minor illness and injury unit (MIIU) has been operating with reduced opening hours due to staff shortages.
A vacancy for a primary care nurse at the unit has now been re-advertised as none of the previous applicants met the specific criteria required for the role.
A new nurse has been recruited in the hospital’s GP ward, although one vacancy still remains there and is due to be re-advertised.
While filling one of the vacancies comes as a relief to residents of Pitlochry and the surrounding area, there are concerns the staffing crisis may never be resolved, despite the efforts of NHS Tayside.
James Laurenson, chairman of Pitlochry and Moulin Community Council, said: “We are very worried about the future of the hospital.
“It’s very important to Pitlochry, particularly in the tourist season when the population doubles, if not more.
“It’s a terrible situation to be in and I would be kicking up even more of a stink but I do think the NHS is trying to do something about it and at the end of the day, if there are no staff, there are no staff.
“I know everyone is trying to sort it, which in a way is more worrying because if they are trying and still can’t sort it, will there ever be a solution?”
The staffing crisis forced NHS Tayside to close the MIIU for three days in September and it has been operating on reduced hours throughout October.
It came just weeks after health bosses were forced to slash operating hours for the same department in Crieff.
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser said: “The recent nursing appointment at the Pitlochry Community Hospital is good news for both patients and residents in the local area.
“Pitlochry MIIU is a vital component of healthcare in Highland Perthshire and recent temporary closures, as a result of staffing shortages, had not only reduced the effectiveness of the service but put its future under question.
“Whilst this is obviously positive news, it is concerning that the MIIU nursing post is still vacant and I would call on the Scottish Government to work with the health board to ensure that it is filled sooner rather than later.”
Robert Packham, chief officer for Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership, insisted efforts are being made to make the position as attractive as possible.
“Following an initial round of recruitment, a decision was made to re-advertise the (MIIU) post to ensure that the post is filled by an applicant with the required skills and level of expertise for this specialist service,” he said.
“We actively recruit to fill vacancies as they arise and we have also been working with our staff to develop innovative nursing posts to support active recruitment.
“Patients and their families should be assured that staffing for all of our services is in line with NHS Scotland’s nationally recommended workforce levels.”
Patients are asked to check the MIIU opening times before attending by phoning Pitlochry Community Hospital 01796 472052, Monday to Fridays, or NHS 24 on 111 at the weekends.
