HOSPITAL chiefs in Burnley say they are prepared for the Christmas and New Year period but have urged people not to abuse the system.

Health Trust finance director David Meakin said staff at Burnley General Hospital had been briefed on contingency plans if anything went wrong.

They had also been told to report any incident which could help other NHS Trusts prevent similar incidents.

Each department has been advised on how to handle the predicted increase in accidents and problems which may occur from Millennium Bug power failures.

But one problem which could prevent events going as smoothly as possible is people wasting time by turning up at the Accident and Emergency Department with minor symptoms or slight injuries from heavy drinking - problems which health bosses refer to as 'non-emergencies'.

Business development manager Chris Allen summed up the situation by saying: "We are as well prepared as possible. Use the system - don't abuse it." He added: "We have been working on the Millennium Bug since 1998 and have been in discussion with all the emergency services.

"We are stopping selective surgery to make more beds available for emergencies and will be monitoring the situation in New Zealand because they are so many hours in front of us.

"If they are affected by problems, it will give us enough time to try and prevent the same things happening to us.

"We will have additional portering staff on duty during the critical period, between 6pm, Friday, December 31, and noon, Saturday, January 1, and will be offering a free buffet in the staff restaurant for all staff on duty during that time.

"We have paid the Healthwise information service to help out and want people to call them first for non-emergencies."

Mr Meakin added: "There will be greater access for people with problems as we are opening more health centres and fracture clinics during the critical period.

"We have paid for two policemen to be on duty in the A&E department between 10pm and 6am on New Years Eve and hope the public will be sensible."

For non-emergency advice call Healthwise on 0800 66 55 44.

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