EXTRA hospitals beds to cope with winter pressures have been deployed for the first time this year in East Lancashire.

More people than expected have been turning up at the casualty department after the first serious cold snap of 2016, with icy winds and snow still predicted.

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An increased demand at the Royal Blackburn Hospital has already been reported this week, with NHS chiefs urging patients to see whether their conditions can be dealt with by GPs or pharmacists.

Under their winter resilience plan, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) has opened up additional ward spaces at the Haslingden Road hospital, as in previous years.

An ELHT spokesman said: “This is the first time this year that the winter wards have been opened up.

“We have an extra 40 beds designated, which are used to ease winter pressures, as we have been experiencing increased demand this week.”

Earlier this week patients were advised that they should still ring 999 for ‘life-threatening emergencies’ such as a loss of consciousness, persistent fits, an acute confused state, breathing difficulties, heavy blood loss, severe allergic reactions or major burns or scalds.

But in other circumstances, trust bosses said their urgent care centres, at the Royal Blackburn and Burnley General hospitals, may be the best option, or the minor injuries unit at Accrington Victoria or Rossendale Hub, in Rawtenstall.

These can deal with everything from minor head injuries to suspected broken bones, sprains, cuts and bruises, bites, high temperatures or eye problems.

Other minor ailments could be treated by GP surgeries or by calling NHS Direct, on 111. Pharmacists are also being recommended as an appropriate first port of call, for everyday complaints.

The Royal Blackburn Hospital already deals with more emergency ambulances than any other site in the north-west.

And NHS trust chief executive Kevin McGee is heading up a task group looking at how patient flows can be improved through the A&E department.

The four-hour waiting target for the Blackburn site, which stands at 95 per cent, has been missed every month for a year, with the figure dropping to 77.9 per cent for August.