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
Police issue quicksand warning after riverbank danger for school pupils in Lancaster
Lancaster animal shelter launches 'Big Build' fundraiser to help save charity
LISTEN: Morecambe "definitely submitting a bid" to become first UK Town of Culture
Heysham Port upgrade blamed for traffic chaos 'trapping residents in their homes'
LISTEN: Tourism champs hail Eden Project and Tour de France as huge for Morecambe Bay area
Donation helps college pan ability football team to play in national championships
LISTEN: Meet the new manager of the Midland Hotel in Morecambe
LISTEN: Main contractor to build Eden Project Morecambe to be announced this month
£1.2m of funding for flood defence schemes in Lancaster district announced
Morecambe Bay hospital trust unveils new painless blood test
Thousands raised to help boost return of Lancaster Music Festival
High street computer games shop in Lancaster closes down
LISTEN: Carnforth actor wins Hollywood and Paris awards for horror film role
"1600 potholes repaired last week" says councillor as roads debate rumbles on
Burger King takeaway in Lancaster city centre closes down
Morecambe lifeboat crew reunite dog lost on sands with owner
New Morrisons Daily supermarket opens in Morecambe
Council investigate after derelict food trailer found dumped in Lancaster layby
Man charged after pedestrian died in Morecambe hit and run
LISTEN: We go out on Pothole Patrol in Morecambe
