WIRRAL patients are being advised to refrain from attending A&E unless it is urgent.

Health chiefs at Arrowe Park say the number of people going to A&E and calling 999 has caused severe pressure on the health service over the last few days.

NHS teams across Wirral are working extremely hard to cope with this demand.

In order to ensure that emergency services are able to deal with the most urgent cases, the NHS is advising people with non-emergency illness or injuries to go to Eastham Walk-in Centre, Victoria Central Health Centrein Wallasey and the All Day Health Centre at Arrowe Park or GP practice based minor illness and injury services (Birkenhead Medical Building, Parkfield Medical Centre and Moreton Health Clinic) and to avoid A&E unless it is a genuine emergency.

If you are not sure what to do, please contact NHS 111 by dialling 111.

If you need advice from a doctor between the hours of 6.30pm and 8.00am please contact the GP Out of Hours Service on 0151 678 8496.