Patients are experiencing lengthy waits for remedy at under-pressure hospitals in north Cumbria.

Accident and emergency departments at Cumberland Infirmary and West Cumberland Hospital have seen a “significant increase” in attendance lately, a guide mentioned.

Those with points that aren’t life-threatening or critical are inspired to hunt assist elsewhere.

People with non-urgent situations should wait “a number of hours to be seen” in the event that they arrive at A&E, in accordance with guide Dr Emma Farrow.

She mentioned throughout this week there had been instances when tons of of individuals had been ready to be seen throughout the Carlisle and Whitehaven hospital websites.

“Once you have been seen, those who need to be admitted are experiencing very long waits for a bed because of the number of people already in hospital,” she added.

Dr Farrow mentioned A&E is at all times acceptable for these most in want and with life-threatening situations, however urged these with much less critical situations to entry pressing well being care by seeing their GP or pharmacist, calling 111, or attending one of many pressing remedy centres in Penrith or Keswick.

The North Cumbria Integrated Care Trust can be working to discharge sufferers in a well timed method, in order that these needing acute care will be admitted.

The Trust is attempting to make sure as many companies as potential are maintained throughout subsequent week’s strikes, which can happen between 20 December and 23 December.

Dr Adrian Clements, government medical director on the Trust mentioned: “We will need to stand down some planned appointments and procedures but we will contact anyone who is affected by this directly.”

He added that it was “very important” sufferers attend appointments except they’ve been contacted.