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Harsh call by the way to split a medical department (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

astringent

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'harsh' is the definition.
(harsh can mean astringent or severe)

'call by the way to split a medical department' is the wordplay.
'call by' becomes 'astringe' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'the way' becomes 'e' (Compass direction - East).
'to split' suggests deleting specific letters.
'a medical department' becomes 'ENT' (abbreviation for Ear, Nose and Throat department).
'ent' with 'e' taken out is 'nt'.
'astringe'+'nt'='ASTRINGENT'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for astringent that I've seen before include "Sharp or severe in manner" , "medical preparation" , "Lotion" , "Scathing" , "description of wine?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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