SUFFOLK'S flagship hospital has postponed all non-urgent operations for the coming week and set up an emergency ward to deal with the “unprecedented” levels of illness it is facing over the Christmas period.

SUFFOLK'S flagship hospital has postponed all non-urgent operations for the coming week and set up an emergency ward to deal with the “unprecedented” levels of illness it is facing over the Christmas period.

Ipswich Hospital staff are personally contacting patients who have a planned operation up to January 8, to reschedule their appointment.

Gwen Collins, the hospital's Director of Nursing said: “We are seeing very high numbers of people needing hospital care, coming into us every day. People coming in to hospital are very poorly, many are suffering from respiratory and breathing problems.

“The decision to reschedule planned operations for the coming week was not taken lightly as we all appreciate the upset and inconvenience this will bring for patients.

“Faced with rising numbers of very sick people needing specialist care, we hope people will understand our decision and bear with us at this exceptionally busy time.”

The hospital does not have any wards or beds closed because of the winter sickness virus, or any other infection at the current time.

One of the hospital's surgical wards - Martlesham Ward - is now being used as an emergency medical ward.

“We have opened up additional beds throughout the hospital and set up this new emergency ward so that we can care for the influx of patients each day,” Mrs Collins added.

“Staff are being absolutely brilliant and we are managing very well.”