BASILDON Hospital has issued a statement as demand has grown on the Accident and Emergency Department.

A spokesperson said: “Basildon Hospital is currently exceptionally busy and is facing a sustained high level of demand for A&E services.

We are working closely with our partner organisations to ensure patients continue to receive safe care.

We are asking people to think about using alternatives to A&E – such as a GP service, pharmacist or the minor injuries unit at Orsett – unless they have a serious illness or life threatening emergency.

Anyone who is unsure whether they should be going to A&E can call NHS 111 for advice and information.

Basildon Hospital is at Operational Pressure Escalation Level 2.

That means:

The local health and social care system is starting to show signs of pressure. The Local A&E Delivery Board will be required to take focused actions in organisations showing pressure to mitigate the needfor furtherescalation.

Enhancedco-ordination and communication will alert the whole system to take appropriate and timely actions to reduce the level of pressure as quickly as possible.

Local systems will keep NHS E and NHS I colleagues at sub-regional level informed of any pressures, with detail and frequency to be agreed locally.

Any additional support requirements should also be agreed locally if needed.