IT was feared it could affect up to seven people a day - but no emergency patients have yet had to be turned away from York Hospital.

A large scale operation which is closing nearly 100 beds at York Hospital is currently under way.

Managers have warned this could mean as many as seven patients a day who are sent there as emergencies might have to travel to another hospital miles away if there are no beds available.

But bosses have said that so far, no one has had to be turned away from its doors - although the number of beds available has at times reached single figures.

Chief executive Jim Easton said: "We've had operational pressures, as we expected. We're pleased that, to date, we haven't had to turn patients to alternative places, although it's been fairly tight over the last week or two."

York Hospital is having to streamline its operation this year to cope with a drop in income of £4 million from the cash-strapped North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust (PCT).

According to the latest figures, the PCT was expecting to end the last financial year about £35 million in the red, although that was substantially reduced from initial estimates.

The hospital is cutting back on beds to accommodate the fact it is expected to treat 10,000 fewer patients.

In line with similar moves across the country, the PCT is planning to care for more patients more cheaply in the community, so that they can be closer to their homes.

Hospital bosses have said they will not turn away patients if their lives are at risk.

Emergency patients are sent to all departments, not just to Accident & Emergency, if doctors think they need immediate hospital care.

Mr Easton praised staff at the organisation who were currently having to be moved into different departments where wards were being cut back.

He said: "Staff have been fantastic. It's been difficult for them. We've done well allotting staff into new jobs. We're down to a couple of people now.

"It's not to say that everyone has been pleased about the move because they would have preferred to work where they were. I wouldn't want to pretend that everyone was thrilled about where they are having to work."

Wards which are being closed include orthopaedics, urology, ear nose and throat, and obstetrics.