Nurses have been recruited to a Highland Perthshire hospital that had to close a ward due to a lack of staff.
Pitlochry Community Hospital's inpatient unit was closed on December 31 due to a staffing crisis.
Health chiefs are progressing plans to develop an "effective, efficient and sustainable" proposed new care model for patients in Highland Perthshire.
The Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) provided an update to the Local Democracy Reporting Service on the latest situation.
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross HSCP said: "A proposal to explore future models of care in Highland Perthshire was supported at the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) Integration Joint Board at its last meeting.
"Perth and Kinross HSCP will now work together with staff, patients, and local communities in Highland Perthshire to develop a proposed new care model which is effective, efficient and sustainable for patients now and in the future. The approach supports the integration agenda and the Strategic Commissioning Plan of delivering care closer to home and ensuring a sustainable model in rural areas.
"While this work takes place, the temporary arrangements of the step-down of Pitlochry Community Hospital GP Unit will be kept under review by the clinical leadership team. A recruitment campaign is continuing for clinical staff and a charge nurse and part time and full time staff nurse roles have recently been recruited too."
But while staff are being recruited, finding affordable accommodation in Highland Perthshire remains an issue.
On February 16 the Perth and Kinross Integration Joint Board voted for NHS Tayside and Perth and Kinross Council to work with partners to urgently identify key worker housing for healthcare staff.
This week a Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson told the LDRS: "Perth and Kinross Council is committed to increasing the availability of affordable housing in rural areas. We look to take forward housing developments in rural areas of Perth and Kinross whenever there is an opportunity, and the funding available, to do so.
"We have completed developments in Meigle, Pitlochry, Milnathort, Burrelton, Guildtown, Alyth, Crieff, Auchterarder, Rattray, Abernethy and Methven. Going forward, more sites are planned in Methven, Auchterarder, Guildtown, Crieff, Milnathort, Kinross, Blairgowrie, Alyth and Aberfeldy.
" The Scottish Government also supports community-led projects though the Rural Housing Fund, and we have promoted the availability of these funds and supported projects. Last year a small housing development in Blair Atholl was completed through the fund, and another innovative project outside Comrie is progressing well.
" As well as new-build, we use initiatives such as buying back ex-council homes, bringing unused properties back into use as housing, shared equity ownership, and partnership work with private sector landlords to provide suitable housing for people in the places they need it."
