The Royal Lancaster Infirmary has been escalated to its highest level due to increased pressures on services.

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust have taken the decision to escalate the RLI to OPEL 4 – the highest level of internal escalation.

This allows them to be able to take additional steps to maintain safe services for their patients and help them cope with the significant and growing demand they are facing. 

Operations Pressure Escalation Levels (OPEL) is a method used by the NHS to measure the stress, demand and pressure a hospital is under, with OPEL 4 representing the high escalation level.

placeholder image — The Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

OPEL 4 is declared when a hospital is ‘unable to deliver comprehensive care’ and patient safety is at risk.   

Whilst Furness General Hospital is operating normally, the decision to declare the RLI OPEL 4 has been made due to the high demand staff are seeing.

A trust spokesman said: “The safety of our patients and colleagues is vital; and the decision to declare OPEL 4 at RLI acknowledges that we were at a point where we cannot continue in the way we are due to the increased risk of harm."

Immediate actions being taken by trust teams and partners include: 

Utilising all alternative options to the Emergency Department
Community colleagues focusing on admission avoidance activities and espediting discharges where possible
Acute Medical Unit, frailty and medical colleagues reviewing patients with a discharge ready date to see if these can be safely brought forward
Cancellation of non-essential meetings/activities in order to redirect clinician time to patient-facing activities
Seeking support from local place-based partners and system partners

What can you do to help?

If you are not contacted directly, continue to turn up for your appointment. Also contact the number on your appointment letter if you are no longer able to make your appointment so it can be reallocated to another patient.

Teams continue to work exceptionally hard; and the trust would like to reassure patients and the public that in spite of the challenges faced, essential services remain fully open for anyone who needs them so if you require urgent medical help, continue to come forward.

The public can help manage these periods of demand by ensuring they are seeking help from the most appropriate health services, and only attending A&E for serious accidents and emergencies.

If you are unwell, visit NHS 111 online for 24/7 advice about the most appropriate care for your needs.