PATIENTS have been urged to avoid Warrington Hospital’s A&E, with the department ‘at full capacity’.

Full waiting rooms and long waits have been reported at the hospital’s A&E departments today, Tuesday.

But patients who do not need emergency treatment are still presenting at the unit.

Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has urged those seeking treatment to go to urgent care centres in Widnes and Runcorn unless it is an emergency.

A spokesman said: “Warrington Hospital’s A&E is a full capacity, dealing with very sick patients and genuine emergencies.

“The rest of the region is also extremely busy.

“Patients that could be seen elsewhere are still attempting to be seen at A&E despite long waits and full waiting rooms.

“Patients are strongly urged to use the urgent care centres at Widnes or Runcorn, to dial 111 or to ask their pharmacist before attempting to access A&E.

“Runcorn Urgent Care Centre currently has a less than five minute wait for triage and there is free parking at the centre, located at Halton Hospital.

“The labour ward is operating as normal.”