Hospitals across West Yorkshire and Harrogate are working together as they continue to enact their operational plans to ensure those patients with the most urgent medical need are cared for during this challenging time.

These measures include postponing some procedures if the overall capacity in a hospital prevents them from going ahead safely.  Emergency and urgent procedures will continue to be prioritised and this situation will be kept under constant review.

Dr Sal Uka, Medical Lead for the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT) and a Consultant Paediatrician, said: 
“This is a demanding time for the NHS and we have carefully planned for this winter period to ensure we can continue to care for our most vulnerable patients.  Adjusting and adapting the way we work remains key to that.”

Staff absences across the six acute trusts in West Yorkshire and Harrogate are currently around 12%.  This means one out of every eight members of staff are unable to work through sickness (including COVID-19) or are following guidelines and self-isolating.

The scale of the staffing issue is brought into context with hospitals treating high numbers of patients with COVID-19, which continues to be driven by the Omicron variant.  This has seen COVID-19 in-patient figures across the six acute trusts in West Yorkshire and Harrogate from 225 on the 23rd December to 627 patients on the 6 Jan. 

Other measures being introduced across WYAAT include limiting the number of visitors coming into hospitals. 
“These are difficult decisions that are not taken lightly,” added Dr Uka. 

“The situation is also very fluid and varies between hospitals.  Despite what you may have seen in the media over recent weeks we are continuing to deliver many of our routine services but we must remain flexible to changing that if the circumstances make it necessary to scale some of those back on a temporary basis.”

Dr Uka also stressed the importance of patients attending hospital appointments during this time. 
“I’m aware that we are seeing increasing numbers of patients failing to attend what are very important appointments.  Unless you have been contacted to rearrange your appointment, please try to attend.  If we can take anything away from this pandemic, we now have very effective systems in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in hospitals.  I hope that offers some reassurance to those who may be concerned.”

To help ensure people are given the most appropriate care we continue to encourage anyone feeling unwell, but not requiring emergency treatment, go online to 111.nhs.uk or call: 111 for advice in the first instance.

Anyone not yet vaccinated should also take this opportunity to protect themselves, their loved ones and help to reduce the risk of requiring hospital treatment.  For more information and to book your vaccine, please visit: www.nhs.uk.