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Derriford Hospital declares critical incident

BBC Ambulances outside Derriford hospitalBBC
The emergency department at Derriford has had 10 days of "very high attendance"

A critical incident has been declared at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust said the emergency department at Derriford has had 10 days of "very high attendance".

It said "very unwell patients" and people with flu have stretched its capacity, particularly overnight.

The trust advised people in life-threatening emergencies to go to Derriford, but those needing urgent care to use other services.

Critical incidents are declared when hospitals are under extreme pressure and are unable to function as usual.

Derriford Hospital last declared a critical incident on 22 January and it lasted for eight days.

Declaring the current critical incident, the trust said: "If you have a very serious or life-threatening emergency, we are here for you, but otherwise, if you need urgent care, we ask you please to call NHS 111 or use NHS 111 online."

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