Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust has put out an appeal to people not to go to its emergency department unless it is an emergency as they are seeing a particularly pressured weekend.

The emergency department at the Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske, Truro currently has 101 patients in the Emergency Department right now. Last night they were in the steady 80s. 

A spokesperson for the trust said: "We’re seeing a particularly pressured weekend in our emergency department at the moment.

“If it’s not a serious or life-threatening condition, the NHS in Cornwall is urging people to use alternative services including, pharmacies, 111 online or by phone, or minor injury units, where waiting times will be shorter.

"We are having an extremely busy weekend and if you turn up at the emergency department with something that’s not urgent, we may ask you to go elsewhere.”

The trust says people should try minor injuries units such as at Falmouth Hospital instead for shorter waiting times.

Posting on Facebook the trust said: "It's continuing to be an extremely busy weekend for our emergency department at the Royal Cornwall Hospital. If it's not a 999 emergency, we will likely send you to a minor injury unit. To save a wasted trip, check your nearest MIU first, or call 111 for advice on the most appropriate service for your needs."

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the trust said: "If you need urgent care in mid or West Cornwall today, don't forget the brilliant urgent treatment Centre at West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance is open until midnight.  https://royalcornwallhospitals.nhs.uk/waiting-times/urgent-care/