NORTH Cumbria's hospitals have seen a significant rise in patients visiting A&E departments, with demand rising above the levels seen last March.

NHS England figures showed 7,590 patients visited A&E at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust in March 2021.

That was a rise of 31% on the 5,816 visits recorded during February, and 10% more than the 6,931 patients seen in March the previous year.

The majority of attendances last month were via major A&E departments – those with full resuscitation equipment and 24-hour consultant-led care – while 11% were via minor injury units.

NCIC has responded to the rise by asking residents to seek help from other services before travelling to an A&E.

However, it was felt that the rise was in line with what was happening in A&E departments all over England.

A spokeswoman for the trust said: “The Trust has seen a gradual rise in A&E attendances recently and this is in line with the national picture.

"The Covid infection rate has decreased significantly but the virus has not gone away yet everyone is urged to do your bit to make sure the virus doesn’t spread.

"As the restrictions ease, we urge people to continue to follow the national guidance on hands, face, space, fresh air.

“We would also ask the public to use the NHS wisely and seek advice from 111 or their GP first.

"For anyone who has a life threatening injury or condition please do not hesitate to call 999 or come to A&E.”

The figures also showed that there were 261 booked appointments at the trust, p from 171 in February.

Meanwhile 85 per cent of arrivals were seen within four hours - against the NHS target of 95 per cent. A total of 214 patients waited longer than four hours for treatment following a decision to admit.

Cumbria's figures were broadly inline with the rises seen by NHS trusts across England.

A&E departments received 1.7 million visits last month. That was an increase of 32% compared to February, and 10% more than the 1.5 million seen during March 2020.

Separate data revealed that, in February the median time to treatment was 35 minutes, while just one per cent of patients left before being treated.