Rochdale Urgent Care Centre closed for eight hours

Rochdale Urgent Care Centre

The Urgent Care Centre at Rochdale Infirmary was closed yesterday (Wednesday 19 February) for eight hours due to a staff shortage.

The unit was closed from midnight until 8am with patients who needed to be seen during that time being directed to “alternative healthcare facilities”.

Dr Jimmy Stuart, consultant and clinical director at The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Due to an acute medical staffing issue caused by short term sickness the Urgent Care Centre at Rochdale was closed for 8 hours between midnight and 8am. The decision was taken on the basis of clinical safety and all parties including the North West Ambulance Service were informed.

“The unit typically sees between six and 10 patients during these hours. As a contingency during the period of closure a member of staff was placed at the entrance to re-direct patients to alternative healthcare facilities, there were 10 patients that were re-directed.

“This was a short term issue and the staffing shortage is now resolved and the unit is now back to being open 24 hours a day and is fully operational.”

A&E services at Rochdale Infirmary have been replaced by the GP led Urgent Care Centre, which is open 24 hours a day for minor injury and minor illness care.