HEALTH services are at breaking point as leaders claim they are under the most pressure faced since the Covid-19 pandemic began.

Grave concerns have been raised about the “very limited” number of beds available in hospitals and care homes across north-east Essex.

As a result, significant pressure is being placed on ambulance services and emergency departments as hospitals come under siege.

As Covid cases soar, staffing numbers are plummeting due to the illness while patient numbers continue to rise.

It comes as East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust revealed its Covid patients have more than tripled in the past four weeks.

The latest figures show the trust, which runs hospitals in Colchester, Harwich, Clacton and Ipswich, was caring for 300 coronavirus patients in its hospitals.

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In Tendring, there were 20 Covid-related deaths recorded in the week to Friday, after another two people died on Thursday having tested positive for the virus.

Health leaders across north-east Essex now claim services are under intense pressure, more significant than at any time during the pandemic.

They point to seasonal pressures and rising numbers of Covid cases in the community which translates into high numbers of staff who are off work with the virus.

GP Dr Richard West said: “Covid has not gone away and is having a bigger impact on health and care services across north-east Essex than ever before.

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“Your local GP, A&E, hospital and all the other staff that work in the NHS continue to work tirelessly to support the health and care needs of everyone.

“They are working hard to ensure patients who need an urgent consultation are prioritised.

“This might mean you may experience delays for less urgent conditions.”

Director of nursing and quality at the Suffolk and North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Groups, Lisa Nobes thanked residents for their understanding and asked them to continue to respect NHS staff.

She added: “Our amazing staff in all of our services across the system continue to work tirelessly to treat the patients in their care.

“Please continue to be polite and treat them with the respect they deserve.”