THE trust that runs hospitals in south Cumbria has declared the highest level of escalation due to 'increasing pressures'

The University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Furness an Westmorland General in Barrow and Kendal, as well as the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, has taken the decision to escalate to OPEL 4.

This allows it to be able to take additional steps to maintain safe services for patients and help cope with the growing demands.

Declaring OPEL 4 enables the trust to bring all partners in Lancashire and South Cumbria together to focus' the safe and timely care of all our patients'.

In declaring the escalation, a trust notice said: "As always, patient safety must take priority and we need to take action to make sure that those who are more clinically urgent get the help they need as quickly as possible. We have been liaising with our Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Local Authority colleagues over the course of today to agree immediate actions to be taken to help reduce the pressures on our services.

"If you are not contacted directly, please continue to turn up for your appointment. Please also contact the number on your appointment letter if you are no longer able to make your appointment so it can be reallocated to another patient.

"Our teams continue to work exceptionally hard; and we would like to reassure our patients and the public that despite the challenges faced, essential services remain fully open for anyone who needs them so if you require urgent medical help, please continue to come forward.

"The public can help us manage these periods of demand by ensuring they are seeking help from the most appropriate health services, and only attending 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."