PEOPLE from across the South Cumbria and Lancashire are being urged to be patient when accessing GP surgeries.

As the Covid pandemic continues, healthcare institutions are asking the public to only visit them if absolutely necessary due to the pressure the NHS is finding itself under.

The number of calls to surgeries across the area has increased significantly in recent months.

Due to Covid-19 cases rising and more people mixing due to the relaxing of lockdown restrictions, it is still very important for practices to take extra precautions to limit the spread of infections.

While the infection rates have gone up, the death rate is continuing to fall greatly as the vaccine continues.

Dr Amanda Doyle OBE, chief clinical officer for the Lancashire and South Cumbria Health and Care Partnership, said: “We have to take several steps to prevent the spread of infections to people who are frail, vulnerable and sick.

"These are the people we tend to see the most of in general practice.

“This means that every appointment that is face-to-face takes longer as we have to wipe down chairs and couches, clean rooms and change PPE after each patient.

"We are also unable to have lots of people in waiting rooms at any one time due to essential social distancing.

"Telephone and video appointments are essential for us to make sure those face-to-face appointments are prioritised correctly.

"It is important to remember that a telephone or video appointment is still an appointment, and just as rigorous as your clinician will go through a thorough investigation just as they would when seeing someone face-to-face.”