A NORTH-East hospital is using all but one of its operating theatres to treat covid patients.

Forty per cent of patients being treated at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust have tested positive for Covid-19.

Hospital bosses expect this to rise a further 14 to 15 per cent in coming weeks, said Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham, who wrote to residents following a meeting with the trust.

He added that North Tees’ Intensive Therapy Unit is at capacity and all but one of their operating theatres are now being used to look after Covid patients in intensive care, resulting in operations being cancelled. 

Following a meeting with chief executive Julie Gillon, Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham issued an open latter urging people to stay at home.

Latest available figures, updated on Sunday, show there are 216 covid patients being treated at the trust, with 15 on ventilation.

The trust recorded its highest number of deaths on a single day this month on Sunday, January 10, when 10 people lost their lives with Covid-19.

He said: “I have just had some shocking news from our local hospital which is why I am making this urgent plea to you today – a plea to stay at home if you can, minimise your time outside, and only leave your home if necessary. 

"I recently spoke with Julie Gillon, Chief Executive of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust. She told me that 40 per cent of all beds at North Tees Hospital are being used by Covid patients. Hospital bosses expect this go up a further 14-15 per cent in coming weeks.

"North Tees’ Intensive Therapy Unit is at capacity and all but one of their operating theatres are now being used to look after Covid patients in intensive care. This is having a huge impact on regular day-to-day care some operations have been cancelled including some cancer ones.

"We all need to work together to protect our local hospital.

"Vaccination is the light at end of this tunnel. Our local NHS is making great strides to vaccinate our communities, and with this we can see a path back to normality. It will take time for vaccinations to take effect and for our whole adult population to be offered this protection, and we all need to keep the resolve and do our bit to support our NHS and save lives.

"I don’t write this lightly – I know that conditions can be far from ideal, and that there is a sense of “lockdown fatigue”. But it is important we all carry out this request and do our part to keep infection rates down and beat Coronavirus for good. 

"I want to thank everyone who has been following the rules. Your efforts have meant our healthcare professionals can focus their efforts on Covid-19 while also carrying out their day-to-day work. 

"Thank you again for doing your bit in this pandemic. Please continue following the rules and Stay at Home, Protect the NHS, and Save Lives."