Northumbria Healthcare Care Trust is asking the public to think carefully before turning up to A&E.

The Trust warned that those that do turn up to A&E may be turned away or redirected to other services.

Social distancing and infection precautions have increased pressures on A&E services, reducing the space that allows NHS staff to work safely and available areas to care for people by 30-50 per cent.

Medical Director Dr Jeremy Rushmer said: “It’s vital for patient and staff safety that people get the right advice and treatment, when and where they urgently need it. We are now putting in place new measures to help support the public to make the right healthcare choices.

“If their issue is not life threatening then we would advise patients to contact their local pharmacy, their GP or 111 online."

The Trust is also investing £1m of Government funds to change the layout of the Emergency Care Hospital at Cramlington to better segregate people and ambulance crews.

Mr Rushmer added: "Many people who come into A&E could have been dealt with much more quickly and safely by an alternative healthcare service which also reduces the risk of transmitting Covid19 or flu. This will be even more important as we move into the busy winter period.

“This winter, more than ever, it’s vital that we don’t have large volumes of people in our surgeries, clinics and hospitals."