HOSPITAL chiefs in north Cumbria have pleaded with the public to use their services “wisely” as they battle to treat an increased number of patients.

Managers at the NHS trust which runs The Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle and the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven say their services are currently “extremely busy”.

As a result, patients are waiting longer than usual to be treated.

Professor John Howarth, deputy chief executive of North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Trust said: “In line with the national picture our health services are currently extremely busy and we are appealing to members of the public to help us help you at this difficult time by choosing the most appropriate service for their needs.

“We are doing all we can to ease the pressures and we also ask our local communities to help us by making sure they use their NHS responsibly and to help us share these messages in the local community.

“I cannot stress enough how important it is that the public help us by using the right service and by knowing the steps you can make to keep yourself safe.”

“I am very sorry that the pressure we are under will lead to delays in some treatments and that A&E waits are longer than we would like.

I sincerely thank the public for their understanding at this time and I guarantee that we are doing everything in our power to improve the flow through our hospitals. I hope that you can join me in thanking our staff across all services for the incredible work they are doing despite the pressures they see.”

Officials say it is vital that patients choose the right NHS service for their needs.

The options available include.

• 111 – this service provides 24-hour advice on any healthcare need

• Pharmacy – think pharmacy first where there are trained professionals who can prescribe medicines and give advice

• GP – for ongoing or persistent medical issues

• Minor injuries and Urgent Treatment centres – for urgent but not life-threatening issues.

• A&E – for life-threatening and serious emergencies only

In December, a nursing union said that The Cumberland Infirmary was at breaking point with staff facing the most challenging workloads that they had seen for years.

Managers declared a so-called Opel 4 alert, which acknowledges that staff were unable to provide comprehensive care, with an increased potential that patient care and safety may have been compromised.