Health bosses are urging people not truly in need of emergency care to stay away from Broomfield Hospital’s A&E department as it experiences high demand for the second day running.

The hospital has repeated a notification that its accident and emergency department is busy.

Yesterday, it said only those with serious or life-threatening illnesses should use A&E, and that patients should otherwise call 111 for health advice, or use other health professionals, such as GPs or pharmacists.

Bosses at Colchester General Hospital have also warned they are very busy - but are managing the extra demand effectively.

A spokesman said: “Safety is our first priority and while Colchester General Hospital has been very busy in the past fortnight, we have been managing the extra demand effectively.

“It is quite common to experience peaks in demand in the summer months and when this happens we work with our partners in health and social care locally to make sure we have the capacity to care for patients in the most appropriate place.

“When high numbers of patients come to our emergency department for treatment, they may need to wait longer than usual for a bed. However, they are always under the care of our expert team.”

Repeating a statement they released on Tuesday, the Mid Essex Hospital Trust said: “Our emergency department is extremely busy with a very high demand for its services again today.

“Our teams are working very hard looking after our patients.

“Please remember that A&E is for serious or life-threatening illnesses. For other health advice, please call 111.

It is now standard guidance from the NHS for people who are ill to use other care routes if appropriate.

A&E should only be used for those with a life-threatening or serious illness, such as loss of consciousness; acute confused state and fits that are not stopping; persistent, severe chest pain; breathing difficulties; severe bleeding that cannot be stopped; severe allergic reactions or severe burns or scalds.