Patients have been urged only to visit Colchester and Ipswich hospitals’ accident and emergency departments “if absolutely necessary” due to a high level of demand.
Nick Hulme, chief executive of East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) - which runs both Ipswich Hospital and Colchester Hospital - took to Twitter to issue the warning at about 7pm this evening (Monday, December 30).
Hospitals across the country are known to see a spike in demand during the Christmas and New Year season, with many getting extra funding to deal with winter pressures.
Mr Hulme said: "We are currently experiencing high level of activity at both Ipswich and Colchester Hospitals.
"Please only use A&E if absolutely necessary."
ESNEFT said on Twitter: "We are treating lots of patients at our hospitals this evening. Please call 111 if you need help fast, but don't need A&E."
ESNEFT has been contacted for comment.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here