MEASURES to deal with patients needing accident and emergency treatment during a hospital staffing crisis have now been out in place.

Children’s and some maternity services will close at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton from Friday (JULY 17) to October 26.

The move is the result of staffing shortages caused by sick leave and retirement and action is now underway to recruit new staff.

However the temporary closures will have a knock-on effect on the accident and emergency department, particularly if a child is seriously injured or hurt, so bosses have set out what is planned.

Staff in the departrment will continue to deal with children’s minor injuries such as sprains, strains and scrapes - but if a child has a serious injury or illness they will be taken by ambulance to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

Consultant Samit Mitra said: "The ambulance service is aware of the changes so if they pick up a child who needs emergency treatment they will be taken straight to the James Cook University Hospital.

"However we know some parents and carers bring children directly into accident and emergency so the advice we’re giving them is to go straight to their nearest accident and emergency department or to the department at James Cook."

He added: "During the summer holidays we do see lots of children with minor injuries and we will continue to offer treatment to children with these types of injuries in the accident and emergency department at the Friarage."