OPERATIONS are being cancelled and there is a shortage of beds at Burnley General Hospital because of a 'colossal' increase in admissions -- with the worst of winter still to come.

Health bosses say that plans by Burnley Health Care NHS Trust to open new departments at Burnley General Hospital in time for winter is proceeding to the timetable but that the level of both emergency and waiting list admissions have been six per cent greater between April and October this year than the same time period last year.

A report by the Chief executive of the Trust, David Chew, said: "This is causing some consternation so early in the year with the worst of winter still to come and the hospital has been full on several occasions during October and at one point there were 53 medical outliers in surgical beds.

"The result of this is that we have had to cancel some elective (waiting list ) work, which has led to an increase in waiting list numbers.

"Coupled with this we have been unable to secure funding from our commissioners for the entirety of our winter capacity plan including the waiting list programme."

At the NHS Trust Board meeting yesterday Mr Chew said the situation was causing the Trust some concern.

He said: "I think it is important that we meet key targets and we are going to have to move fairly quickly in the last months of the year and it will put pressure on our budget. But we are not alone in this problem. What we are experiencing here is also being experienced in Blackburn.

"The annual increase in demand during the last five years has been unprecedented and a six per cent increase overall is absolutely colossal. It is very difficult to cope with and isn't readily explained."

Frank Clifford, chairman of the Community Health Council, said the occupancy levels of beds were 'at a ridiculous state' and 'unmanageable' and said someone needed to 'get a hold of the situation'.

He said: "While we can plan and organise with foresight the emergencies which might occur and the difficulties which occur for people in the community, we need to be able to respond effectively and appropriately without having such an adverse impact on elected waiting lists and more importantly on the staff.

"It isn't acceptable that 53 people are lying out all over the place and consultants and others are having to chase round looking for these patients."

Chairman of the Trust, Brian Foster, said: "Whatever we do, demand seems to keep on rising. It's a real difficulty and it's a real tribute to our staff that they are managing in the way they are."

Neil Matthewman, a director of planning at the hospital, explained that additional alternative options to help resolve the problem were being looked at, including the possibility of recruiting a crisis response team and creating more available beds in the dermatology wing in the post Christmas period.

It was also agreed that the Trust should look at more innovative ways of making use of the staff already in the hospital.