Buxton's Spencer Ward closed because of staffing shortage

The Spencer Ward at Cavendish Hospital in Buxton has had to close because of "staffing pressures"

Eight elderly patients with mental health problems have been forced to move hospitals after a Derbyshire ward closed because of staffing shortages.

The Spencer Ward at Cavendish Hospital in Buxton closed and patients were moved to Newholme Hospital in Bakewell, 13 miles away.

Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Trust apologised to the patients and their families.

The Trust is now recruiting staff and it hopes to reopen the ward soon.

'I am sorry'

"We've got some significant staffing pressures on Spencer Ward," William Jones, the Trust's director of operations said.

"Our priority is always to be able to ensure patient safety and to be able to deliver the highest quality of care to our patients."

"I am sorry we have had to make this change and I really do have to apologise to relatives and friends," he added.

The Trust is now recruiting staff and hopes to reopen the ward "as soon as possible".

It is not the first time the town's health services have been hit by staff shortages after the minor injuries unit reduced its hours in 2011