TAVISTOCK Hospital leaders are keen to reassure patients over staffing levels following recent reports that the region is experiencing a nurse shortage.

The hospital, run by Livewell Southwest community interest company, provides a range of patient services including surgery. Last year its operating theatre underwent a major refurbishment to create a state-of-the-art facility enabling it to expand the range surgery it offers.

Matron Trish Cooper said: ‘Our wards are fully staffed and when vacancies arise, for example in theatre, we aren’t experiencing problems recruiting.

‘There have been a lot of reports of nurse shortages and we want to reassure the people who use our services and their families and carers on the position locally.’

Tavistock Hospital provides diagnostic and screening procedures including x-ray, day surgery and out-patient services including physiotherapy. The theatre specialises in dermatology, plastics, orthopaedics, general surgery, urology, colorectal and minor operations as well as pre-op assessments. There are 15 in-patient beds.

A minor injuries unit on site is run by Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust.

Livewell Southwest provides integrated health and social care services for people in Plymouth, and community health services in South Hams and West Devon as well as some specialist services for those living in other areas of Devon and Cornwall.