Health chiefs have unveiled plans they claim put them in their best-ever position to deal with winter emergency pressures.

Nearly £2million is being spent in Bradford and Airedale hospitals and the community to deal with the expected upsurge in emergency cases.

The investment is being made alongside £3.8 million targeting waiting lists, which will mean an extra 5,000 patients waiting for hospital treatment will be seen over and above last year's total before the end of March.

Fears that the closure of Wharfedale General Hospital at Otley to emergencies will lead to a massive increase in cases in Bradford have been allayed by Leeds health bosses, who have given assurances patients will be taken to Leeds General Infirmary.

Measures to cope with extra demand in Bradford will include the opening of extra rehabilitation beds in hospitals and increased availability of nursing home beds.

Extra theatre sessions will be booked to deal with waiting lists, to bring total numbers waiting in Bradford to fewer than 11,000, with no one waiting longer than a year by March.

Paul Smith, director of planning at Bradford Health Authority, said the plans drawn up by hospital, social services and ambulance chiefs would leave Bradford better able to cope.

Lessons had been learned from previous winters, including last year when a virus struck hospitals in the area, leading to the closure to new admissions of seven wards at one stage.

"We are certainly better placed than we have ever been," said Mr Smith. "All the things that were successful last winter we have made good on a permanent basis.

"We have also learned lessons from last year in areas where we felt we needed to do more.

"Even though it was a mild winter last year, we in Bradford were particularly hard-hit by the Norwalk Virus and we have put specific plans in to manage it this year.

"In the past when emergency admissions came into hospital the planned theatre list was disrupted but this time both priorities will be addressed.

"What is crucial to both is more support in the community, because as more people are pushed through the theatres they need help at home."

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