Bosses at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary have again raised operational levels to their highest point due to rising patient demand.
The University Hospitals Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) today said they have taken the decision to escalate to OPEL 4.
This is the highest level of internal escalation, and is due to increased pressures at the trust's hospitals and medical centres.
OPEL 4 is declared when a hospital is ‘unable to deliver comprehensive care’ and patient safety is at risk.
"Due to increased pressures at the University Hospitals Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, we have taken the decision to escalate to OPEL 4 - the highest level of internal escalation," said Scott McLean, chief operating officer at UHMBT, which also runs Furness General in Barrow and Westmorland General in Kendal.
"This allows us to be able to take additional steps to maintain safe services for our patients and help us cope with the growing demands.
"Declaring OPEL 4 enables us to bring all our partners in Lancashire and South Cumbria together to focus on one thing - the safe and timely care of all of our patients.
"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.
"There are some immediate actions being taken by Trust teams and our partners, including:
- Utilising all alternative options to the Emergency Department (ED) including Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC), Surgical Emergency Ambulatory Care (SEAC), Gynaecology Assessment Unit (GAU) and the Priority Assessment Discharge Unit (PADU).
- Community colleagues focussing on admission avoidance activities
-
Seeking support from local place-based partners and Integrated Care Board (ICB) systems."
The trust also raised its operational levels to OPEL 4 in December, when there were 1,391 attendances at the RLI emergency department in a single week, the highest number on record, and more than 80 patients were seen in the emergency department over a two-day period.
INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS
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.
Essential services remain fully open for anyone who needs them so if you require urgent medical help, please continue to come forward.
Ensure you seek help from the most appropriate health services, and only attend A&E for serious accidents and emergencies. If you are unwell, visit HERE for 24/7 advice about the most appropriate care for your needs.
Read more: Royal Lancaster Infirmary at highest level of demand due to service pressures - Beyond Radio


Lancaster City Council agrees 2.99 per cent rise in Council tax share
Lancashire Police’s share of Council tax to rise by 5.4 per cent
Guys Thatched Hamlet closes suddenly after 46 years
Teenager spared jail for causing death of newborn child in Morecambe
Morecambe Town Council agrees budget and 2.46 per cent rise in Council tax share
Builders of new Lancaster housing development offer £2k cash pot to community groups
Lancaster centre welcomes mayor for opening of new community kitchen
Lancaster shop to close as high street gaming chain faces administration
Jim Bentley returns for second spell as Morecambe FC manager
Ashvir Singh Johal’s reign as Morecambe manager comes to an end
Lancaster writer's ghost story of Morecambe to be voiced by acting legend on Radio 4
Change of name announced for popular Morecambe bar
Opening announced for new Morecambe bistro inside former post office
Health watchdog report shows improvements to services at Royal Lancaster Infirmary
LISTEN: How Leo's Gym is making a difference in memory of young Morecambe boxer
LISTEN: Lancaster set to celebrate Chinese New Year
Lancaster’s Vue Cinema under new ownership
Lancaster city centre car park to close ahead of "catalyst for the development of the Canal Quarter"
Crews tackle commercial building fire in Lancaster
Heritage plaque to mark first Lancaster University site and Gillow factory

