HEALTH leaders are reassuring people that services are still open despite high demand.

Across Morecambe Bay, health and care professionals working in primary, community and acute, ambulance, social care and in mental health services continue to provide care following a torrid 18 months dealing with the pandemic and the recovery from its effects.

Social distancing, masks and hand hygiene continue to be the 'front line' of defence against the spread of infections, while changes to how people receive care are still in place.

Dr Geoff Jolliffe, Chair of the NHS Morecambe Bay Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "While for some patients their experience may involve a video or phone call, where someone clinically needs to be seen face to face, they will be.

"The mixture of face to face and remote consultations allows more appointments to be made than was the case before the pandemic.”

Dr Shahedal Bari, Medical Director at UHMBT, said: "Our hospitals remain very busy and we would urge people to call NHS 111 or use the www.111.nhs.uk service to get advice about where to seek help for any illnesses or ailments if it is not an emergency. Our hospital and community colleagues are working so hard and want to help as many people as possible.

"By choosing the right care at the right time, you will be able to help us to look after people as efficiently as possible."

Health bosses have urged people to be kind to health and care staff they speak to.