SICKNESS meant no doctors were on duty at Halton Hospital's minor injuries unit for a day.

The parents of one boy who fell and badly injured his forehead took him to the unit but were told there was no doctor.

The parents were told the boy needed an X-ray - but were told to go back later.

One relative said: "Surely they have stand in doctors for minor injuries or what is the point having one? It's just not good enough."

Anne Robinson, clinical director of emergency care, extended her sincere apologies to those patients who attended the minor injuries unit at Halton Hospital and required a doctor on November 22.

Sickness

She said: "Unfortunately, we did not have a doctor in the unit that day due to sickness. Every effort was made to fill this vacancy."

Patients who needed to be seen by a doctor were referred to the A&E at Warrington or Whiston Hospitals.

An emergency nurse practitioner, a registered nurse who has undergone specialist training and is highly experienced in emergency care, was available from 4.30pm.

Nurse practitioners can assess, diagnose and treat people who attend the unit with minor injuries, including assess the need for X-rays.