Fifth critical incident declared at Derriford Hospital
The trust is blaming pressure on services and IT issues
Another critical incident's been declared at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth - the fifth this year so far.
It's been in force since 8am on Thursday 4th April, with the trust blaming increased operational pressures and IT issues that are affecting their key clinical systems.
The hospital says the Emergency Department is currently very full and people who do not have an emergency or life-threatening condition may be redirected to other healthcare services.
These include NHS 111, the Urgent Treatment Centre at the Cumberland centre and Minor Injury Units at Kingsbridge and Tavistock.
Patients may also be advised to use local pharmacies or to contact your GP.
The hospital says "Our colleagues are working hard to prioritise patients based on their clinical need and move patients to the right place for them as soon as possible.
"If you have a very serious or life-threatening emergency, we are here for you, but otherwise, if you need urgent care, we ask you please to call NHS 111 or use NHS 111 online."