A HOSPICE has taken half of its beds out of use after health bosses admitted they were struggling to fill top medical posts.

St Benedict's Hospice, at Monkwearmouth Hospital, Sunderland, can accommodate 16 patients, but has been forced into the latest move because it cannot fill two vacancies in key consultant posts.

The hospice cares for terminally ill people from an area covering Sunderland, east Durham and South Tyneside.

One post at the hospice has been vacant for 12 months, and another consultant's job is on hold during a six-month maternity leave.

Trust managers at Priority Healthcare Wearside said there were no patients awaiting treatment, and gave the assurance that no one would be turned away.

James Ellam, director of community services at Priority Healthcare Wearside, said: "There are normally 16 beds, but that is down to eight long-term and two assessment beds.

"There are six patients in the hospice at the moment. There is no one on the waiting list and no one waiting to come in. Nobody's being put off treatment. It's a temporary phenomenon.