WORCESTERSHIRE hospitals are under pressure, treating 621 emergency patients in a single day.

Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester alone treated 211 patients on Monday (March 14), the busiest day of the year so far for the county's health economy.

Cases of norovirus and flu have added pressure to the health system in Worcestershire and NHS bosses have urged the public to use A&Es and minor injury units (MIUs) sensibly as they manage the high volume of patients through the doors.

On the same day the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch received 192 patients, Kidderminster MIU 72 patients, the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bromsgrove 59, Malvern Community Hospital 47, Evesham 36 and Tenbury four patients.

The pressure on Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is reflected in the four hour waiting time target for A&E being missed for more than a year.

The trust is supposed to treat, discharge or transfer at least 95 per cent of A&E patients within four hours of them attending.

The figure is around 86 per cent at the moment, still an improvement on last year where it slumped to 79.63 per cent last February.

Chief executive Chris Tidman said: “Monday was the busiest day yet this year for the Worcestershire Urgent Care system - very high numbers of ambulances and walk in attenders on top of an already busy weekend in total we saw 621 people accessing the urgent care system this compare with an average Monday when we would see approximately 525 patients.

“To help manage pressures and treat people in the most clinically appropriate setting we have restarted our ambulatory care clinics and front door geriatrician service yesterday, and this will make a difference to our patients although we need to persevere at times of intense pressure. "To add to the pressures we are also have a small number of flu and norovirus cases at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, so please help us when visiting our hospitals use the gel available within the hospital to help limit the spread of infection.”

Rab McEwan interim chief operating officer said: “Like many hospitals, we have busy times when people attending A&E may experience slightly longer waits than usual. During these busy periods we do everything possible, working with health partners to get everyone through A&E as quickly as possible.

"Patients are always seen in order of clinical priority and our staff are working hard to see patients as quickly as possible.

“If you have a friend or family member in hospital, you can also help us by making you’re easily contactable and ready to collect your friend or relative when it’s time for them to be discharged. This frees up valuable beds for new admissions.”

Dr Carl Ellson, chief clinical officer for NHS South Worcestershire CCG said: “A&E departments are often seen as the first place that people go, when in fact there are other NHS services that may be more suitable, such as a local pharmacy, GP practice or Minor Injury Unit.

"If you need medical help fast but it’s not an emergency you can call NHS 111, which is a free service and which can provide medical advice and direct you to the most appropriate local health service.”