TWO of the region’s largest hospital trusts have cancelled all routine non-urgent surgery because of a surge in admissions caused by the hard winter and the swine flu outbreak.

Worst affected is South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust, which includes the 1,000-bed James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, and the 270- bed Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, which has postponed up to 100 planned operations this week.

Meanwhile, County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust, which runs Darlington Memorial Hospital, the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham City, and Bishop Auckland Hospital, has also cancelled non-urgent planned operations for 24 hours.

Other hospital trusts across the region, from Newcastle to York, are being forced to postpone some non-urgent procedures to free up more beds.

The 700-bed North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust cancelled three operations yesterday because there was a risk patients might need scarce critical care beds.

Hospitals are also bringing in additional staff and opening up more beds.

The rise in admissions has been caused by the number of swine flu cases, which is tying up many critical care beds, the weekend’s icy weather, which caused many broken bones, and the severe winter, which exacerbates underlying heart and lung conditions.

The intense pressure on NHS hospitals across the North-East and North Yorkshire prompted regional bosses to appeal to patients not to attend hospital accident and emergency (A&E) departments unless absolutely necessary.

Instead, they are urging anyone feeling unwell to use alternatives first – such as the NHS Direct advice service, their pharmacist, GP or walkin centre.

The most recent figures released last week show that 58 flu victims were being treated in critical care beds in the North-East with another 68 in the Yorkshire and Humber area.

But hospital officials are insisting that urgent surgery is still going ahead.

A South Tees Hospitals spokeswoman said: “It is purely to do with the pressure we are under. Our A&E department is dealing with an extremely high level of patients.”

She added: “About ten to 20 patients a day are affected by these cancellations. They have all been informed. We also provide an option for patients to be called back if we can fit them into the schedule.”

A spokesman for the 1,000-bed County Durham and Darlington trust, said: “We are extremely busy and staff are working exceptionally hard.

“In line with our winter plans, we are working closely with the primary care trust, GPs and community services.

“We have increased our bed numbers and brought in additional staff.”

He said planned, routine inpatient surgery had been cancelled for the next 24 hours, although the trust continued to admit patients for day surgery, emergency surgery and inpatient surgery for lifethreatening conditions.

Dr Tim Walls, medical director at the 1,800-bed Newcastle Hospitals trust, said: “The situation changes on a day-to-day basis. Routine planned operations are having to be prioritised but are continuing to be carried out.

We are doing as much as we can.”

A spokeswoman for the 690- bed York Hospital said the trust had cancelled less than ten operations as a result of winter pressures.

Dr Tricia Cresswell, deputy medical director at NHS North-East, said: “By choosing the most appropriate service for the seriousness of their symptoms, everyone can play their part and it means we can ensure those who are most seriously ill and in need of urgent hospital-based treatment receive that care as soon as possible.”

She urged anyone who thinks they have flu to stay at home, rest, drink plenty of water and take paracetamolbased cold remedies.

If symptoms get worse after two or three days, they should contact their GP by phone.

Regional health bosses have also urged pregnant women or any other patients in the at-risk categories to contact their GP for a flu jab.

Officials say there are now adequate supplies of the vaccine across the region, despite isolated reports last week of shortages.

At-risk groups who qualify for free NHS flu vaccine include anyone with a long-term heart, chest, liver or kidney problem, diabetes or someone whose immune system is not working properly.

The NHS Direct helpline is 0845-46-47. Patients in County Durham and Darlington can also ring 111 for out-ofhours care that is needed urgently but is not a 999 emergency.