MORE beds are being made available at York Hospital to try to cope with extra winter demand. That is good news.

The bed-blocking crises in recent years have demeaned the elderly patients involved, and delayed the treatment of many other people.

Meanwhile, pensioners have been asked to help themselves by ensuring they have the flu vaccine. Although there is no sign of an outbreak of influenza as yet, that is no reason for complacency. Prevention is better than cure, especially when our hospital's resources are stretched.

Updated: 10:32 Wednesday, November 12, 2003