Nick Babb

2:00pm - 6:00pm

Email the studio

Harry Styles

American Girls

Listen Live Podcasts

Airedale emergency department 'exceptionally busy' with flu cases rising

Friday, 12 December 2025 08:41

Airedale Hospital says its Emergency Department is exceptionally busy and staff are having to prioritise the sickest patients.

The number of patients in hospital across the UK with influenza (flu) has risen more than 50% in the past week and officials have warned there is still no sign this "super flu" peaking yet.

Anyone with a non-urgent medical problem is asked to please call NHS 111, go to www.111.nhs.uk or speak to your GP or pharmacist.

Lianne Robinson, Chief Nurse at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust said:

“The number of patients unwell with influenza (flu) in our hospital is rising. The hospital is very busy and our bed capacity fluctuates daily, but our teams continue to work incredibly hard to look after our patients and provide high quality care.

If members of the public are eligible for a flu vaccination I urge them to take it up – they can book their vaccination through their GP surgery or local pharmacy.

We also continue to see incidences of other infections such as norovirus, Covid and RSV, and ask people not to visit the hospital if they have had any symptoms of a respiratory infection, diarrhoea or vomiting over the last 48 hours. This is to minimise the risk of spread of infection across the hospital and our services.

To help prevent the spread of the virus our teams in the Emergency Department, Acute Assessment Unit, ICU, outpatients and on our children’s and respiratory wards are also wearing masks when caring for patients. You may be asked to wear a face mask in these areas to protect yourself, others and staff.""

Our Emergency Department is exceptionally busy and we have to prioritise the sickest patients so we apologise to anyone who has had a long wait."

More from Local news

Yarndale announces winner of 2026 Start Up Bursary

Yarndale has announced the recipient of its 2026 Start Up Bursary ahead of the popular yarn festival's return to Skipton next month.
Polling station changes proposed in Skipton

Skipton MP Sir Julian Smith is encouraging residents to have their say on proposed changes to polling arrangements across North Yorkshire.
Silsden hair and beauty business celebrates expansion

A Silsden hair and beauty business has expanded into new premises following the transformation of a building opposite its original salon.
Strong A Level performance celebrated by county’s schools

Students across North Yorkshire are celebrating after receiving their A Level, BTEC and T Level results today (Thursday).
Main section of A59 Kex Gill route set to open 'within weeks'

The main section of the new A59 Kex Gill route between Harrogate and Skipton is set to open within weeks.
Successful launch for Craven Court's new independent bookshop

A new independent bookshop has celebrated a successful first week in Skipton town centre.
Free family music workshops coming to Skipton this weekend

Families are being invited to take part in a series of free music workshops in Skipton this weekend.
Skipton streets targeted in £27,500 chewing gum clean-up

Busy areas of Skipton are set to receive a chewing gum clean-up after North Yorkshire Council secured £27,500 in new funding.
Police invite residents' views on Skipton Bus Station

Police are inviting residents to have their say on anti-social behaviour at Skipton Bus Station.
Rise in number of children in care contributes to Council's £10m overspend forecast

Costs due to a rise in the number of children in care has contributed to North Yorkshire Council forecasting a £10m overspend for the financial year.
Skipton coffee company celebrates top Great Taste award

Skipton-based Coffee Care is celebrating after receiving a coveted three-star Great Taste award for the third time.
Teenagers sentenced after terrifying knife-point robbery in Skipton

Two Keighley teenagers have been handed suspended prison sentences after luring a classmate to a Skipton park before threatening him with a knife, beating him and stealing more than £800.
North Yorkshire schools set for £6.8m improvement programme

School buildings across North Yorkshire could benefit from a £6.8 million programme of improvements as the council looks to tackle a growing backlog of repairs.
Skipton Business Awards finalists revealed after more than 1,200 nominations

Skipton BID has announced this year's Business Awards finalists after more than 1,200 nominations.
Yorkshire children invited to nominate their parents to be 'slimed' on CBBC

Children across Yorkshire are being invited to nominate an adult in their life to be covered in slime live on CBBC.
Fresh calls for school transport changes to be abandoned amid claim council is ignoring own policy

North Yorkshire Council is facing fresh calls to abandon its controversial new home-to-school policy after it emerged that the authority was not following its own rules on how to assess eligibility.
Funding agreed to progress work on Skipton leisure hub redevelopments

North Yorkshire Council has approved the release of £360,000 to progress plans redevelop two leisure centres.
Community rallies to help elderly driver find 'missing' car in Skipton

The Skipton community has been thanked for rallying together to help an elderly driver find his car after he forgot where he had parked it.
Dales Dazzler trail running event returns to Skipton

Runners are set to take on some of the Yorkshire Dales’ most scenic trails when the Punk Panther Dales Dazzler returns to Skipton later this month.
Everything you need to know about Skipton Pride this weekend

Skipton Pride returns tomorrow (Saturday 8th August) for a day of live music, drag performances and family-friendly entertainment.