Staff shortages stops admissions at Cornish hospital
A Cornish hospital has been forced to close its doors to new admissions because of staff shortages.
Managers at Poltair Hospital near Penzance said it was a temporary problem, caused by staff illness and unfilled vacancies.
The hospital has 10 beds and also provides outpatient clinics. It said it currently had eight in-patients.
Non-profit company Peninsula Community Health took over running Cornwall's 14 community hospitals on 1 October.
Peninsula chief executive Kevin Baber said: "We've got a number of problems related to staffing at the hospital at the moment.
"There are staff vacancies that we are looking to fill, and a number of staff are on long and short term sickness.
"This happens from time to time in many clinical settings," he added.
The League of Friends at Poltair has said it is not ideal, but new patients cannot be admitted without enough staff.
Peninsula Community Health has been awarded a four-and-a-half year contract to run community hospital services. It started on 1 October.