Hospital A&E in 'stay-away' plea

People have been asked to stay away from A&E at Stoke-on-Trent's main hospital unless they are seriously ill.

Managers said the department at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire has been experiencing unprecedented demand.

Those unsure whether to attend were asked to try NHS Direct, the Burslem walk-in centre, minor injury clinics and the out-of-hours GP service.

But "seriously unwell" patients should still come, the hospital said.

Medical director Robert Courtney-Harris said: "If those people think that they can be dealt with in another way we'll be very grateful if they would seek help first.

"Clearly, however, if patients are seriously unwell, they need to come to the department and we need to treat them appropriately."