GP walk-in clinic shut by 'temporary staffing pressures'
GoogleA GP walk-in clinic in the Borders has had to close due to "temporary staffing pressures".
The pilot service at Hawick Community Hospital opened at the end of April as part of a network of sites across Scotland where patients have access to GP-led care without an appointment.
NHS Borders said it would be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday this week but was expected to reopen on Thursday.
The Scottish government said it was "aware of the issues" and expected the clinic to reopen "as soon as possible".
The clinic is part of a nationwide plan designed to tackle the so-called "8am rush" for doctors' appointments.
The Hawick service - which launched on 28 April - is usually available from 14:00 to 18:00 Tuesday to Friday.
It is designed to help people with "new, short-term health problems that need timely assessment but are not emergencies".
Only patients registered with Teviot and Mairches (O'Connell Street) Practices in Hawick and Selkirk Medical Practice have access at present.
NHS Borders thanked them for their "understanding and co-operation" while the service was unavailable.
The Scottish government said it was aware of the situation which it expected to be resolved quickly.
"The service is fully-funded and part of our pilot network of GP walk-in services across Scotland," said a statement.
It added that more sites would open in the coming weeks.