A SICKNESS 'epidemic' this week forced the closure of Ward 6 at Leigh Infirmary.

Just a week after plans for redeveloping the hospital were revealed came the closure announcement because of staff shortage.

The 19-bed ward closed unexpectedly on Tuesday and patients were moved to other wards.

A Wigan and Leigh Health Services NHS Trust spokesman told The Journal:"We have been forced to close ward six at Leigh Infirmary as a result of escalating levels of staff sickness.

"The decision was taken in order to maintain safe levels of nurse staffing for our patients at Leigh. It will be reviewed on a daily basis.

"Ward six normally accommodates elderly medical patients. These will be nursed on Ward 3, a general medical ward, and will remain under the care of consultants specialising in the care of elderly patients. This closure was not planned and has taken place simply in order to ensure the safe care of our patients.

"However, the Trust had been considering plans for closing Ward Six during the summer months.

"This would enable us to concentrate staff training and annual leave in the summer, when there is less demand for medical beds, and so maximise staff availability in the winter when demand for beds goes up."

Trust members have voiced concern about nurse staffing levels generally not always being sufficient to guarantee the quality of care the Trust would like to provide.

"We are actively discussing this issue with the Health Authority," the spokesman added.

Leigh Infirmary Unison representative John Winterbottom said:"This is crisis management. We feel there is a lack of qualified nurses and there should be enough cover to cater for these situations. We warned what could happen."

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