MEMBERS of the public are being urged to avoid Leighton Hospital unless they have ‘serious and life-threatening conditions’.

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (MCHFT) is asking for the help of the community as more patients than usual are attending Leighton Hospital in Crewe.

The trust revealed it has seen nearly 3,000 extra patients between April and October this year compared to the same period last year.

People are being asked to only use its Emergency Department for conditions such as heart-attacks, strokes, serious accidents and breathing difficulties.

A MCHFT spokesman said: “We would like to apologise to those patients who are having to wait longer than normal for their care and treatment.

“It should be noted that if, when triaged, staff believe that patients can be treated through a different route other than the Emergency Department, this will be facilitated and the patient redirected accordingly.

“This ensures that patients who absolutely require A & E care are treated in a timely manner.”

Other less serious conditions can be treated through the variety of healthcare services available in the community or on the high street, as promoted in the NHS ‘Choose Well’ campaign.

Choose Well is a national initiative that aims to give people information so that they know where to go in the first instance to get fast, expert advice when they need it, and how to help themselves if they have a common illness or ailment.

A MCHFT spokesman said: “Self-care is often the best choice to treat common illnesses and complaints such as coughs, colds, sore throats, upset stomachs and aches and pains, all of which can often be treated with a well-stocked medicine cabinet and plenty of rest.”

Pharmacies are able to provide expert advice and treatment, without the need to wait for a GP appointment, confidentially, as can NHS 111 and the NHS Choices website via nhs.uk

NHS Choices can also help you to locate your nearest NHS services such as GPs, dentists and pharmacies.