Airedale Hospital is expected to cope with an extra 300 to 350 medical cases a year.

The rising numbers are expected because of a winding down of services at Wharfedale General Hospital.

The implications of changes, which include the end of all 999 emergency admissions at Otley, were to have been discussed by Airedale NHS Trust board on Wednesday.

But the meeting was postponed because of the death of former member Mr David Walker.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust decided to stop emergency admissions and acute medical cases at Wharfedale on the grounds of clinical safety, because of nurse staffing problems.

But if Airedale hospital is to cope with an expected influx of patients as well as a normal increase in workload this winter it needs six more beds.

And pressure is expected to build by next month.

One suggestion to help deal with demand for beds for elderly people at Airedale over the winter is to provide six beds at Wharfedale for older people from Ilkley and Burley needing rehabilitation care.

Meantime the Leeds Trust hopes to redevelop Wharfedale General Hospital and to provide minor and day case surgery there.

Airedale Trust is to discuss the implications and respond formally by the end of September.

* The meeting has been rescheduled for next Tuesday at 10. 30am.

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