Fears over patient safety due to staff shortages have led to the closure of a Norfolk cottage hospital.

Wells Cottage Hospital at Wells-next-the-Sea will close on 20 December for what NHS officials call a "short-term" measure, possibly three months.

The area's Primary Care Trust (PCT) cited an inability to provide long-term cover for absent staff and nurses who are off with seasonal coughs and colds as factors in the closure.

Diana Clarke, chief executive of the PCT, said: "We are very sorry that we have been forced into taking this step, but the clinical safety of our patients and staff must be our first priority."

'Borderline situation'

She said the hospital has been operating at minimum levels.

Ms Clarke added: "This has meant that a great deal of staff time and energy has been spent on managing a borderline situation."

The PCT stated that it was hoped that the eight patients occupying beds at the hospital would be well enough to go home by the closure date.

The trust said the closure was not a cost-saving measure, because it must pay travel claims to staff who will travel elsewhere to work.

It must also pay for extra security at the disused building.

The only activity which will take place at the hospital will be physiotherapy sessions; all drugs will be moved to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.