Health chiefs say it is “inevitable” that some services will need to be sliced or suspended if an autumn Swine flu surge materialises.

Plans have also been drawn up to increase the number of anti-viral collection points in the region to as many as 75, with extra staff being trained in how to provide vital drugs if pharmacy workers become ill.

NHS North Yorkshire and York has outlined the measures already taken to cope with the illness and its plans for tackling it over the coming months in a “statement of preparedness” which was yesterday going before its board.

It says some pharmacies may work in “clusters” to ensure staffing levels are maintained should a pandemic develop and a number of sites are earmarked as “limited collection points” to serve certain groups, such as hospital patients.

Swine flu cases in North Yorkshire have now begun to rise following a lull, and the NHS North Yorkshire and York statement – which the organisation has been required to compile, as with all health trusts, by its covering Strategic Health Authority – said: “An escalation of the swine flu outbreak is likely to lead to increased pressure on health and social care services. It is intended that normal health and social care services will be maintained for as long as is reasonably possible. It is inevitable that some services will need to be scaled down or suspended to allow critical and essential services to be maintained.

“It is likely some treatments will be deferred, clinical care standards will be modified and access to some treatments will be restricted. There will be a need to prioritise services, treatments and patients during the course of the outbreak.”

It also stressed the importance of supporting people in caring for themselves through providing information, working with community, voluntary and faith groups, and establishing a ‘flu friends’ network, where those suffering from swine flu can ask others to pick up their prescriptions and do their shopping in an attempt to prevent the illness spreading.

Dr Peter Brambleby, NHS North Yorkshire and York’s director of public health, said: “We are not being complacent about such a challenge, but we feel we are ready.

“We have used the summer lull to put the necessary planning in place, and the focus is on the vaccination programme and continuing to provide services during a pandemic.”