Medical teams at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust are asking the public to continue using alternative services wherever possible as they continue to see high demand for emergency services.

Divisional director and consultant in emergency medicine, Dr Andy Virr, said: “Over the last week the number of people attending the emergency department at the Royal Cornwall has been around 25 per cent higher than the same week last year.” “When combined with a high number of patients who are waiting to be discharged, either to other care settings or with support at home, it puts considerable pressure on our emergency teams.”

Members of the public are being urged to consider which is the most appropriate service for their health needs before heading to the emergency department in Truro.

Dr Iain Chorlton, chairman at NHS Kernow, said: “The public can help themselves - and their local NHS - by thinking carefully about the most appropriate place to be seen should they become ill. A&E should only be used for serious and life-threatening conditions, such as chest pain, stroke, severe abdominal pain, severe bleeding or breathing difficulties, major broken bones and serious head injuries.”

NHS Kernow said that people whose condition isn’t severe or life-threatening are likely to be seen much more quickly through services such as their GP, pharmacy or minor injury units, and should call NHS 111 if they aren’t sure which service is the right one for them.

Dr Virr added: “Relatives and carers can help us too, when it comes to patients going home from hospital. We’d ask anyone who is contacted by the hospital to collect someone, to do so as early as possible, to ensure beds are available for anyone who needs one. This is critical to reducing pressure in the system and getting it back on track.”

For more information, visit: kernowccg.nhs.uk/get-info/choose-well