Whiston Hospital has issued an "urgent plea" for people to stay away from A&E if possible, as high patient numbers see waiting times soar to 20 hours.
Bosses have asked members of the public to "only use A&E if their condition is a life-threatening emergency", and to use alternative services such as walk-in and urgent treatment centres if possible.
Unprecedented levels of attendance at A&E, on top of high numbers of patients already receiving care in the hospital, have led to waits of up to 20 hours in the department for non-emergency patients
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Rob Cooper, managing director said: "We would urge everyone that, unless their condition is life-threatening, they should not attend the Emergency Department. Throughout Christmas we have seen unprecedented numbers of patients in the hospital, but this has escalated further in the last 12 hours, and we are now urging those with non-emergency conditions to use the alternative services available in their local community."
People who need advice for the best service for their condition are asked to call 111, or use NHS 111 online. Local walk-in and urgent treatment centres remain open seven days a week, including bank holidays.
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