Beds shut due to nurse shortage

Only 20 beds will be open in the hospital's Giffard Ward

Ten hospital beds are to be closed in a Guernsey hospital for up to six months because of a shortage of nurses.

The temporary reduction in bed numbers follows the departure of two senior staff at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital, health bosses said.

Only 20 beds will be open in Giffard Ward instead of 30 so the unit can be managed safely at current staff levels.

The beds close on Monday 27 April. The Health Department said it hoped to re-open them by early September.

Patients are also being told that some minor operations may be rescheduled and that people may be moved to other wards.

The Health and Social Services Department said it regretted any inconvenience caused.

It said: "As a matter of priority the department will continue its substantial efforts to recruit nurses with the right range of skills and experience so that the bed complement in Giffard Ward can return to full strength as soon as possible."