HOSPITALS are under strain as staff faced an exceptionally busy weekend and ward had to close because of the winter vomiting bug.

Patients have been urged not to come to Worcestershire Royal Hospital's A&E unless they have a serious or life-threatening condition.

NHS bosses are also urging people not to attend hospital if they are displaying symptoms of the diarrhoea and vomiting bug or flu which can mean wards have to close to stop viruses and infections spreading, heaping even more pressure on the hospital.

The emergency departments at Worcestershire Royal Hospital and the Alexandra Hospital have been 'exceptionally busy over the weekend' and continue to see high numbers of attendances said a spokesperson for the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, the organisation which manages both hospitals.

Alternatives to A&E include a GP, visiting your local pharmacist, dialling 111 for advice and support about alternative services, or visiting minor injuries units in Malvern, Evesham Bromsgrove, Kidderminster or Tenbury.

As some ward areas have had to be closed for infection prevention and control precautions, the public is also asked to avoid visiting hospital if they, or a family member, have had diarrhoea, vomiting or ‘flu-like’ symptoms in the last 48 hours to help prevent the spread of infection.

The medical assessment unit at the Alex in Redditch has had to close temporarily to new admissions so staff can isolate patients with diarrhoea and vomiting symptoms.