The Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro remains on black alert after announcing last week that its beds were full due to "unprecedented demand."

The hospital last week asked all non-emergency patients to seek treatment elsewhere as its services were pushed to capacity.

Paul Bostock, chief operating officer at RCHT said: “We are currently on a black bed state with unprecedented demand for our services.

“The Emergency Department team is under significant pressure and non-emergency patients are strongly advised to use alternative services to avoid long waits.

“We want the public to support us by by going to the NHS Choices website – www.nhs.uk – or calling NHS 111 for advice if they need help in choosing the nearest and most appropriate service. They can also help by collecting relatives and friends as soon as possible, when they are ready to go home from hospital.

“As always I want to thank our staff for their extraordinary commitment to caring for and treating patients in difficult circumstances and our priority will always to keep patients safe and prioritise according to need.”

Patients have been asked to consult their GP or visit a local minor injuries unit, which can deal with many problems from sprains and strains, broken bones, and minor burns and scalds, to head injuries where the person has not been unconscious, minor eye injuries, and minor injuries to the back, shoulder and chest.

They can be found at Camborne and Redruth Community Hospital, Falmouth Community Hospital, Helston Community Hospital, and Newquay Community Hospital.

Patients can also visit the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk for information on self-care for lots of conditions together with information on pharmacies, doctors other services, or call the NHS 111 service.