HOSPITAL staff fear they are "sitting on a knife's edge" after a shortage of beds caused chaos and lengthy delays at emergency departments last weekend.

Members of the public were urged to find alternative healthcare services last weekend as Furness General hospital and Lancaster's Royal Infirmary struggled to cope with "operational pressures".

Those who still sought treatment were faced with long waits, with some patients hanging around the department for up to 10 hours.

Dr Paul Grout, deputy medical director and site lead for FGH, was one of the on call doctors scheduled to work over the chaotic weekend.

He said: "At the start of the week we had been worried that we were short on beds in the hospital and we've been running with that for a while, just like every other hospital, but it was really bad on Friday.

Sickness and diarrhoea outbreak hits hospital

"Monday was better, but still we had 34 patients medically fit for discharge but they couldn't go home because they didn't have the relevant structures in place at home or didn't have anywhere to go.

"We are hoping the situation will improve over the course of this week, but we are sitting on a knife's edge- it's going to stay pretty hectic."

He was quick to praise the hard work of his team and thanked patients for their support, despite the difficult circumstances.

Winter pressures

The hospital faced a number of set backs over the busy weekend, with staff shortages and an outbreak of sickness and diarrhoea spreading through the wards.

Dr Grout added: "It comes to a point when people can only do so much.

"It's a concern that this is happening at this time of year.

"We expect this to happen in January, when we have lots of people with winter issues so for it to be happening this time of year when we would normally expect to be quieter is a worry.

"For a lot of hospitals around the country winter pressures have already started."

Public advised to stay away from A&E as it faces "difficult circumstances" and "operational pressures"

The weekend statistics for Furness General Hospital

As of September 25, medical bed occupancy: was 120 per cent, target was 85 per cent.

- 34 patients were medically fit for discharge but remained in hospital.

- 35 medical patients were placed in beds belonging to surgical and other wards

- On Saturday, September 23, 84.78 per cent of patients were seen within a four hour period. Target is 95 per cent

-On Sunday, September 24, 83.17 per cent of patients were seen within a four hour period.

Barrow has Cumbria's highest number of children in care

Where to find help

Below is a list of NHS services across Cumbria explaining what they should be used for:

Self-Care - a well-stocked medicine cabinet can help with most minor cuts and infections such as diarrhoea, colds, flu and headaches, but seek advice if worried.

Community Pharmacy - have fully trained health professionals who’ll provide quality healthcare advice (a full list with opening hours is available on NHS Choices via www.nhs.uk

GP Surgery - if you have an illness or injury that won’t go away.

Out-of-hours GP servic es - If you urgently need GP assistance over the festive bank holidays and weekends call Cumbria Health on Call (CHoC) on 03000 247 247 (Urgent appointments are for patients whose health may deteriorate if they have to wait longer than 24 hours to see a GP or nurse practitioner and not for routine repeat prescriptions).

Minor Injury Units or Primary Care Assessment Services - are for treating minor injuries and illnesses.

A&E and 999 - are for life threatening conditions and emergencies only.

For information on how to stay well this winter in Cumbria and how to choose the best health service to meet your specific needs visit www.choosewellcumbria.co.uk and for a full list of where to access NHS service and advice 24/7 visit www.nhs.uk.