A CLINIC at Warrington Hospital that was shut six months ago and has been operating on a reduced service will become fully operational again in the New Year – but patients have been disappointed over the lack of communication during the closure.

The ear, nose and throat clinic was shut in February without users being told – forcing patients, many of whom are deaf, to travel to neighbouring towns for treatment.

Some patients were treated at Warrington Hospital but the clinic has operated on a reduced service due to the long-term illness of a nurse.

Regular user of the clinic Rachel Mills has spoken out about the lack of communication since the closure and said she was unaware that the clinic was open.

The 35-year-old, who is deaf in one ear and has a hearing aid in the other, said: “I tried to make appointment in New Year but couldn’t get through, I rang another department and they informed me that it was closed.

“Another time I rang the hospital and people have told me there was a clinic.

“After waiting so long and being sent back and forth my GP referred me to the clinic at Highfield Hospital in Widnes – I had one appointment there in May and am due another one again soon.

“I rang the hospital again yesterday but again I got no answers - everyone who I’ve spoken to has told me something completely different.

“It’s just gone on and on, there’s still no information.

“For me it’s been very frustrating.

“I’m really surprised that back in March they said they’d arrange an alternative and it’s been six months and we’ve heard absolutely nothing – I think it’s pretty crazy.”

The Orford resident has been using the clinic since losing her hearing after an operation ten years ago, and Ms Mills was concerned about the effects of the disruption on vulnerable patients.

She added: “It’s been pretty bad from February onwards.

“I’ve been going to the clinic for quite a few years and clinics anywhere else don’t use same methods – I’m completely reliant on it.

“I can get to Widnes, I can hop on a train – I’ve got to pay to get there but I don’t know how some elderly people get there.”

A spokesperson for Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “We have been working hard to reinstate this service to its full capacity and in the meantime have been offering a slightly reduced service at Warrington and also an alternative provision at Highfield Hospital in Widnes.

“Patients have been able to use these services as required so no-one should have issues accessing ear dressing clinics if they’ve needed them and those requiring urgent appointments have been seen in regular ear nose and throat clinics.

“We are now in a position to recruit and aim to have the service running back at full capacity in the New Year.”