HOSPITALS are warning of extreme pressures on hospital services as the number of Covid-19 cases continue to rise in the region.

The need to isolate patients with Covid-19 from other parts of the hospital means rising inpatient cases are impacting on the number of available beds, said the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT) said.

This, combined with rising levels of Covid-related staff sickness, means that some patients are facing delays in planned treatment and procedures.

Accident and Emergency departments are extremely busy and some patients are having to wait a long time to be seen, whilst the treatment of those with life-threatening illnesses or serious injuries is prioritised.

A report from Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe ahead of yesterday’s Full Council said: “Infection rates are continuing to rise across the country, being driven by the new Omicron variants and more social mixing.

“Bradford district’s infection rate is following the trend seen nationally, with cases increasing to around the level seen in April this year.

“The seven-day rolling Covid-19 infection rate for Bradford District is 171.4 cases per 100,000 with on average 132 confirmed cases per day.

“This is currently lower than the England average (seven-day infection rate of 246.3 per 100,000) and when compared to other local authorities we rate 304th out of 315.

“In terms of hospitalisations, as cases are rising so are numbers in hospital, with 50 patients admitted per day in Bradford Royal Infirmary and 20 in Airedale General Hospital.”

WYAAT, the official name of the six hospital trusts which work together in West Yorkshire and Harrogate, is urging people to only attend A&E departments in genuine, life-threatening emergencies or in the case of serious injury.

Dr Phil Wood, Chief Medical Officer at The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “The significant upsurge in Covid-19 cases in West Yorkshire and Harrogate means that our hospitals are facing extreme pressures. Our teams are doing everything they can to make sure that services are safe and, in some cases, planned treatment may need to be postponed.”

Covid-19 inpatient numbers across West Yorkshire and Harrogate rose from 165 on June 25 to 574 on July 12, marking a 248 per cent increase.

Dr Wood added: “Thankfully, the number of very seriously ill people needing treatment in Intensive Care for Covid-19 is very small and accounts for less than two per cent of total inpatient cases.”

He urged anyone who has not yet been vaccinated to book an appointment.

Dr Sal Uka, Consultant Paediatrician at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust and Medical Lead at WYAAT, added: “The heatwave we are currently experiencing is adding further pressure on our hospitals and I would urge people to limit their exposure to the sun and to keep hydrated to prevent heatstroke and heat exhaustion.

“People can help reduce pressure on their local hospital by choosing the right service for their needs and only attending A&E or calling 999 for genuine, life-threatening illness or serious injury. NHS 111 Online can help people get the right advice or treatment they need, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

“Patients and visitors should not be coming to hospital if they have any Covid-19 symptoms."