NORTHUMBRIA Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust today announced that arrangements have been put in place to resume a 24-hour service at Hexham General Hospital's urgent care centre.

The service was temporarily suspended due to short term staffing pressures but will resume with immediate effect.

Patients needing urgent medical advice overnight should first contact NHS 111 where trained advisors will refer people to the most appropriate service. This could be the urgent care centre, the GP, or, if serious and/ or life-threatening, the emergency department at The Northumbria hospital.

Marion Dickson, chief operating officer for surgery, clinical support and child health at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We’re delighted to be able to re-commence a 24-hour urgent care service at Hexham General Hospital – having only taken to the decision to suspend it overnight with the greatest reluctance. All of our staff have worked extremely hard to find a safe and sustainable way of providing this service.

“We would like to thank the public for their patience and support during this time. The service is slightly different to how it was before but we are confident it will ensure the same high standard of care.”