DEMAND on Airedale Hospital's emergency department has soared.

Health trust bosses say A&E has experienced an "exceptionally busy" summer.

And pressure is expected to surge further during the winter months.

The public is being urged to help ease the strain by only using A&E in genuine emergencies.

Rob Aitchison, chief operating officer at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, says: "The winter period always puts a huge demand on the NHS, and this is the first winter where we’re expecting to see pressures from both Covid-19 and flu. We’re doing everything we possibly can to free up capacity so that we can ensure the most seriously ill patients get the care they need.

"We know that people recover faster in their own environment. We’re working with our partners to help people stay well at home and to ensure that after acute illness, where required patients can be supported at home by our health and social care team.

"Demand, though, on our emergency services is unrelenting after an exceptionally busy summer in our A&E department. We’re seeing ten to 15 per cent more patients than we did before the pandemic and we are anticipating this could rise by a further ten per cent during the winter period.

"The public can help by only coming to A&E if it’s an emergency. If you need urgent help but it isn’t an emergency, think NHS 111 first. Please protect yourselves and our staff too by booking in for your Covid and flu vaccines if you’re eligible and when the time comes."

Dr Louise Clarke, a GP and director of healthy communities with Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership, says all health and care services are experiencing "significant" demand.

But she adds that the number of appointments being offered in GP surgeries is rising.

"We’re now offering more appointments in our GP practices than we did in the same period before the pandemic," said Dr Clarke.

"This means we are offering an additional 60,000 appointments compared to June 2019.

"We know that all health and care services are experiencing significant demand. This may mean people experience a delay before they are seen. We ask that you please continue to be kind to our colleagues and to each other during these challenging times.

"We also appreciate that the cost-of-living crisis means more people will experience issues affecting their emotional health and wellbeing. It’s important you seek help early; find out what’s available locally by visiting healthyminds.services."