The future of Brechin Infirmary is the subject of fresh speculation, after it emerged that it currently has no patients.
NHS Tayside confirmed that its staff had been redeployed across other medical units across Tayside as the ward was shut on Thursday afternoon.
There is no one due to be admitted to the Infirmary Street hospital. However, the health board insisted this was “not unusual” and that the staff would return when required.
Earlier this week a source at the hospital claimed it was being “closed by stealth” as, at that stage, it only had three patients and GPs had been told not to make referrals to the ward.
NHS Tayside responded by giving an assurance that the hospital “continues to operate”.
A Brechin resident who attended at the minor injuries unit which is also based at the infirmary was alarmed to see the ward “locked with the lights off”.
She contacted The Courier to say she was worried the ward had been “shut for good”.
However, an NHS Tayside spokesman said the small hospital found itself without patients “from time to time”.
“From this afternoon there are no patients in Brechin Infirmary and no one currently waiting to be admitted,” the spokesman said.
“This is not unusual and can happen from time to time and in these circumstances our staff are deployed to work across other sites in Angus until required again in Brechin.
“This is part of the day-to-day management of all our units across Tayside, to ensure person-centred, safe and effective care for everyone.”
In August it was announced that the Brechin Medical Practice partnership was being dissolved, after two doctors left and replacements had not been found due to a national GP shortage.
NHS Tayside agreed to take over the running of the practice, an arrangement which came into place yesterday. The health board is in the process of trying to recruit more GPs.
The minor injuries and illness unit has also recently reduced its opening hours due to difficulties in recruiting staff.