Opening hours at the Children’s A&E department at Ormskirk Hospital will be extended.
The children’s accident and emergency department at Ormskirk were closed between 10pm and 8am daily from Monday 6 April this year.
The decision to temporarily close overnight was made because the Trust could not maintain safe and consistent medical cover against the background of the surging Covid-19 pandemic.
It was taken on the advice and recommendation of a team of senior Trust doctors.
The team have conducted a fresh assessment of the service, taking into consideration the impact of schools reopening and upcoming winter pressures.
Chief Executive Trish Armstrong-Child said: “A significant workforce challenge remains around 24/7 cover given the uncertainty around Covid infections and the continued, and potential, impact on staffing.
“However, I am pleased to say the clinical team has been able to strengthen cover available to extend the opening hours.
“From Monday 19 October 2020 when new rosters come into effect, children’s A&E will open from 8am to midnight with medical cover available until 2am.”
A review will take place in January 2021 to assess the impact of the pandemic on the service.
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