A HIGH tech pod is set to be delivered to Furness General Hospital in Barrow to act as a temporary ward through the winter – as pressure for beds intensifies.

The temporary modular structure is expected to arrive within the next month as medics brace themselves for an influx of patients.

The introduction of the pod is among a series of measures being introduced in preparation for the colder months after hospital bosses say they have seen unprecedented demand for services throughout the year.

RELATED ARTICLE: Unprecedented demand leading to 'perfect storm' of pressure on Barrow's hospital

Another will see the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, which runs FGH, commission a 12-bed wing at Barrow's Risedale St Luke's Nursing Home for patients who no longer need acute care but who cannot yet return home.

And a third party company is to be appointed to secure care home places for elderly patients within five days of them being declared fit to leave hospital.

At the moment the average time taken to place an elderly patient in a home from FGH is reported to be 60 days.

RELATED ARTICLE: Drive to reduce 'bed blocking' at Barrow's hospital hailed a success

Foluke Ajayi, UHMBT chief operating officer, said: "The pod will provide five or six beds at FGH to increase acute medical unit capacity.

"The 12-bed unit within a nursing home in Barrow was something that was undertaken two years ago and was very successful.

"We have also established a task force which will meet on a weekly basis to check up on the tactical improvements we are making."

Bed capacity at the Dalton Lane hospital has increased beyond 100 per cent on occasions this year with the number of blocked beds across the trust peaking at 140.

The winter resilience measures to help ease the pressure on Barrow's hospital is set to cost £250,000.

Jackie Daniel, chief executive of the UHMBT, said: "It has been very difficult this year particularly because of the demand we are seeing on our services.

"We can't compare it with last year or two years ago.

"This winter will really test the mettle of whether we can get a better outcome for patients as a system.

"It was a long winter and our staff have really dealt with it well. They are incredibly resilient."

READ MORE: Winter crisis looms for Barrow hospitals trust