ACCRINGTON Victoria’s minor injuries unit was closed for a short time on Saturday.
Bosses at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust took the decision to temporarily shut the doors for part of the Haywood Road hospital.
Staff were redeployed to support casualty and urgent care units at Blackburn and the urgent care centre at Burnley.
Medics kept the health access walk-in centre at Accrington open for more routine enquiries, requiring a GP’s attention, and the minor injuries unit is expected to reopen today.
Hospital chief executive Kevin McGee and senior NHS managers have formed an ongoing task group to improve the flow of patients through the system, including speeding up ambulance handovers and reducing bed-blocking.
Speaking about the latest incident, an ELHT spokesman said: “Due to unprecedented high demand in our urgent care centres and emergency department, the decision has been taken to redeploy staff from the minor injuries unit in Accrington to ensure the continuation of safe, personal and effective care.”
The minor injuries unit closed on Saturday afternoon and evening
Patients have again been advised, if their complaint is not an emergency, to either contact a chemist or ring the NHS advice line, 111.
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