HOSPITAL bosses have said that 'extremely high' levels of occupancy, compounded by staffing issues, are putting pressures on beds.

The University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Trust has escalated itself to the highest level of internal escalation - OPEL 4.

And a letter from Chief Executive Aaron Cummins explains why.

Mr Cummins said: "We are again running at extremely high levels of occupancy and continue to see huge rise in demands for our services.

"Attendances at A&E are rising; there are ongoing challenges in discharging patients who are well enough to leave hospital; and staffing levels in some areas are difficult.

"All of this is resulting in longer waits than we would like for patients to be seen and admitted."

It says that declaring OPEL 4 enables the Trust to focus on the safe and timely care of all patients. 

Mr Cummins has called on the public to use the 111 service and only attend A&E if absolutely necessary.

He said: "The public can help us manage these periods of demand by ensuring they only attend A&E for serious accidents and emergencies.

"If you are unwell, visit NHS 111 online for 24/7 advice about the most appropriate care for your needs."

The Trust is considering a number of options for alleviating pressures on its hospitals, including expanding the opening hours of urgent treatment centres, requesting aid from partners and cutting down meetings of senior staff to free up time.

The Trust says that people should still turn up for their appointments unless they are directly contacted and contact the number on their appointment letter if no longer able to make an appointment.

Mr Cummins' said: "Our teams continue to work exceptionally hard; and we would like to reassure our patients and the public that in spite of the challenges faced and some changes to non-urgent appointments, essential services remain fully open for anyone who needs them so if you require urgent medical help, please continue to come forward."

Barrow and Furness MP Simon Fell said: "This is a very real problem caused by an inability to discharge people back out into the community either with an appropriate care package, or in to social care.

"I've discussed this on more than a few occasions with the team at UHMBT and raised it with the Prime Minister at questions earlier this year too. I'll be speaking to the DHSC team later to make them aware and see what support can be offered."