STAFFING ‘challenges’ have caused the closure of Dawlish Hospital’s Minor Injuries Unit for the fourth day in a week.

Health bosses have announced the ‘temporary’ closure of the unit today.

This is the fourth day in a week the unit has been closed.

It was also shut on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday last week.

A Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said: ‘Due to staffing challenges, we have had to make the difficult decision to close Dawlish Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) from 8am Tuesday September 2 until 8am on Wednesday September 3.

‘Our colleagues from Dawlish MIU will support our urgent treatment centre team in Newton Abbot while the MIU is closed.

‘The decision to temporarily close a service is not one we take lightly, but we encourage people to use our minor injuries unit at Totnes and our urgent treatment centre at Newton Abbot if they need treatment for conditions such as cuts, animal and insect bites, injuries which need stitching, ear infections and female water infections (urinary tract infection /UTI).

‘Community pharmacists are also able to help advise on the treatment of a range of minor ailments and conditions.

‘We apologise for any inconvenience caused and want to thank people for their support and understanding.