A HOSPITAL trust that provides mental health care for patients across the North East and North Yorkshire has moved to the highest alert level due to huge pressures and demand for services.

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust runs mental health, learning disability and eating disorder services across Teesside, York, North Yorkshire, Darlington and County Durham.

On Friday the trust moved to operational pressures escalation level (OPEL) four – the highest level.

NHS England guidance says OPEL four is declared when “pressure in the local health and social care system continues to escalate leaving organisations unable to deliver comprehensive care”.

Ruth Hill, chief operating officer for Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are currently seeing high demand for our services – we are ensuring that those who need care continue to receive it and we encourage people to come forward for the help they need.”

A spokesperson said the trust is working hard to reduce pressures in the service as quickly as possible.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated Darlington Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054