Hull's A & E is "Extremely Busy"

People are being "urgently advised" not to go to A & E at Hull Royal Infirmary unless they absolutely need to. The hospital's told us it's "extremely busy" and staff have seen a significant increase in the number of people going there.

Jacqueline Myers, Chief Operating Officer for Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust said:

“Hospital services are always subject to peaks and troughs in demand, however over the last day or so we have seen a significant increase in the number of people coming to hospital.

“A high number of these people are actually people who have multiple or complex illnesses and so need to be in hospital. However, there are still people who are coming to the Emergency Department who could have been helped more appropriately elsewhere, and this can have a significant impact in that it potentially risks diverting resources from people who urgently need them."

Over the last 24 hours a high number of seriously ill people have been admitted.

Jacqueline added:

"To ensure we can concentrate on the very sickest and most vulnerable patients, we would ask for everyone’s cooperation at this time and urge people to explore local alternatives for healthcare advice and treatment before deciding to come to hospital.”

Nearby healthcare alternatives operating extended hours include Bransholme Minor Injury Unit which is currently open from 9am to 8pm, seven days a week (9am – 5pm, New Year’s Day), and Story Street Walk-in Centre, within Wilberforce Health Centre in Hull city centre, which is open from 8am to 8pm every day of the year.