'Severe pressure' on the area's main RD&E hospital and other NHS services across Devon has led to a plea not to come to the emergency department unless the situation is genuinely urgent.

The RD&E Hospital Trust is currently at its highest alert level – OPEL 4 – due to:

• A large number of people continuing to visit its emergency department

• Delays with discharging patients who have no onward care arrangements in place

• A high level of staff absence due to Covid-19 self-isolation

• Caring for a small number of patients with Covid-19 and the impact this has on other services

• Pressures across paediatric services.

What to do if you need medical help

The Trust said several other NHS organisations across Devon are also experiencing severe pressures, and the RD&E is working with them to reduce this demand, focusing on ensuring people are cared for in the most appropriate setting. It's issued these guidelines:

• The emergency department, which is for urgent and immediately life-threatening cases only, is extremely busy with longer waits than usual.

• If you need urgent care, before coming to the emergency department, call 111 or visit 111 online first. Through 111 you can speak to a clinician, who will advise where to go to get the right treatment more quickly.

• It's really important that people continue to attend appointments and seek medical attention if they need it.

• If a friend, family member, or loved one is medically fit and able to leave hospital sooner, get in touch with the family liaison service to help make discharge arrangements. The service is open seven days a week, 9am-5pm, and can be reached on 01392 402093 (weekdays only) [email protected] (seven days a week). If you cannot get through on the phone please email and staff will ensure this is picked up.

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Help free up A&E for real emergencies

Phil Luke, Director of Operations, said, "The RD&E – and the wider NHS across Devon - is extremely busy today.

"As always, our top priority is to continue delivering safe, quality care. To help us ensure this, I am asking people who do not need emergency care to phone NHS 111 in the first instance. This will help to ease the burden on our overstretched services at this time. It is important to stress, though, that if you do need emergency care, please phone 999 or attend our Emergency Department."

"In addition, if people have a loved one who is medically well and able to leave hospital please support us to ensure that they can do so safely."

The Trust continues to operate its maternity services as normal.