HOSPITAL bosses in north Cumbria say the pressure on their services is now so great they can no longer guarantee 'comprehensive care' for patients.

Over recent days, North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS NHS Foundation Trust - which runs The Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle and Whitehaven's West Cumberland Hospital - has faced a surge in admissions of seriously ill Covid-19 patients.

The situation is now so serious bosses have declared an Opel 4 Alert.

The move came as the trust issued a series of appeals to the public, urging people to stay away from A&E unless their condition is life-threatening.

The NHS definition of the conditions triggering an Opel 4 Alert are summarised as: "Pressure in the local health and social care system continues to escalate leaving organisations unable to deliver comprehensive care. There is increased potential for patient care and safety to be compromised."

Responding to questions from the News & Star, the hospital issued the following statement: “Due to a significant increase in coronavirus in our community we have seen rising admissions requiring hospitalisation over the last week.

"In line with our pre-prepared plans we have taken escalated actions to maintain services and patient safety.

"We are extremely grateful to our staff who have been working tirelessly over the past few months and weeks with no let up and continue to do so in the interests of our patients. We would also ask for our local communities’ continued support for the NHS in two ways."

The statement goes on to urge members of the public to help by:

* Reducing their chances of being infected by or transmitting coronavirus unknowingly by ensuring they follow the guidance of staying at home and only leaving your home for the reasons set out in the government guidance.

* And by choosing the service most appropriate for their need when they need to access medical help. This includes:

*111 – which provides 24 hour advice on any healthcare need

* Pharmacy; think pharmacy first as there are trained professionals there who can prescribe medicines and give advice

* Your GP for ongoing or persistent medical issues

* Minor injuries and urgent treatment centres for urgent but non-life-threatening issues. A&E should only be used for only -threatening conditions and serious emergencies only.

Infection rates across Cumbria and the world have been fuelled by the more infectious new variant of Covid-19.

The full definition criteria for an Opel 4 Alert is as follows: "Pressure in the local health and social care system continues to escalate leaving

organisations unable to deliver comprehensive care.

"There is increased potential for patient care and safety to be compromised. Decisive action must be taken by the local A&E Delivery Board to recover capacity and ensure patient safety.

"All available local escalation actions taken, external extensive support and intervention required.

"Regional Teams in NHS England... will be aware of rising system pressure, providing additional support as deemed appropriate and agreed locally, and will be actively involved in conversations with the system. Where multiple systems in different parts of the country are declaring Opel Four for sustained periods of time and there is an impact across local and regional boundaries, national action may be considered.