This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-30687347

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Scarborough Hospital major incident declared Scarborough Hospital major incident declared
(35 minutes later)
A major incident has been declared at a North Yorkshire hospital.A major incident has been declared at a North Yorkshire hospital.
York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust made the announcement in response to "unprecedented demand" for services at Scarborough Hospital.York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust made the announcement in response to "unprecedented demand" for services at Scarborough Hospital.
Mike Proctor, deputy chief executive of the trust, said people had been waiting in the emergency department for a bed and resources need to be saved for those who need them most.Mike Proctor, deputy chief executive of the trust, said people had been waiting in the emergency department for a bed and resources need to be saved for those who need them most.
Some surgeries and other procedures have been postponed as a result.Some surgeries and other procedures have been postponed as a result.
The major incident status will be reviewed regularly and will be lifted as soon as possible.The major incident status will be reviewed regularly and will be lifted as soon as possible.
'Most need care'
Patients are being urged to visit their GP or attend a pharmacy, walk-in centre or minor injuries unit, if appropriate.Patients are being urged to visit their GP or attend a pharmacy, walk-in centre or minor injuries unit, if appropriate.
Mr Proctor said: "While the winter months are traditionally a busy time for all hospitals across the country, we have been experiencing an unprecedented surge in demand for our services and we have today reached a point in Scarborough where we have needed to enact our major incident plan.Mr Proctor said: "While the winter months are traditionally a busy time for all hospitals across the country, we have been experiencing an unprecedented surge in demand for our services and we have today reached a point in Scarborough where we have needed to enact our major incident plan.
"Doing this enables us to increase our focus on our most ill patients and step up our management of our resources to ensure that we are seeing, treating and admitting those who most need our care.""Doing this enables us to increase our focus on our most ill patients and step up our management of our resources to ensure that we are seeing, treating and admitting those who most need our care."
Major incidents were declared at two hospitals in Gloucestershire earlier due to high demand in A&E departments.Major incidents were declared at two hospitals in Gloucestershire earlier due to high demand in A&E departments.
An NHS spokesman said 30% of people using Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General's emergency departments had "non-urgent ailments".An NHS spokesman said 30% of people using Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General's emergency departments had "non-urgent ailments".
Scarborough Hospital is York Teaching Hospital Trust's second largest facility and has 350 beds.
The trust said it was briefing partner organisations such as GPs and the Yorkshire Ambulance Service and asking them to refer patients to hospital only in an emergency.