Staffing pressures, a sudden influx of patients and social distancing rules saw the city's Cumberland Centre "briefly closed" on Tuesday.
The Urgent Treatment Centre - also known to many in the city as the Minor Injuries Unit - at Damerel Close is usually open from 9am to 9pm each day to treat people who have non-life threatening injuries, such as cuts, small burns, sprains and certain fractures, infected wounds and foreign bodies in eyes.
The centre takes a lot of the pressure off of Derriford Hospital's Emergency Department and allows staff there to focus on the more serious illnesses and injuries.
Read next: Police place dispersal order over city centre and warn of arrests
However, the number of people who attended the Cumberland Centre earlier this week compounded other problems already being suffered by the venue. In addition, continuing staffing problems have resulted in changes to the opening times over the next few weeks.
A spokesperson for University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust said: “The Urgent Treatment Centre at Devonport briefly closed yesterday due to an influx of patients attending and the need to maintain effective social distancing for patient and staff safety.
"That, combined with increased pressures on staffing at this already busy time, led to a requirement to briefly close the centre. We do apologise to those attending for any inconvenience that this may have caused.
"The UTC is open and with slightly revised opening times over the next few weeks.
"Details of all opening hours and locations of our Urgent Treatment Centres and Minor Injury Units can be found here: https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/miu-at-the-cumberland-centre
"The temporary revisions to the UTC opening times will help to optimise staffing levels during this summer period, and staff vacancies have now been appointed to, which will also help to ease the situation."
The spokesperson said the Trust is still seeing large numbers of patients attending Derriford Hospital's Emergency Department and they are encouraging the public to try and find other options whenever possible, such as ringing NHS 111, calling your GP or visiting your local pharmacy for advice.
The spokesperson said: "We are continuing to experience high attendances at our Emergency Department, however we continue to ensure patients are prioritised in order of clinical need and are seen in the shortest time frame possible.
"As ever, please can we encourage everyone to seek alternative options to the Emergency Department where possible, and it is safe to do so.
"A helpful information portal about when and where to seek treatment is available here."
Read next:
Derriford Hospital make rules on masks clear as restrictions eased
Covid-19: Number of Plymouth schoolchildren self-isolating doubles in four days
