The trust has asked people not to attend the hospital's emergency department unless they require critical, lifesaving care.

A statement said: ‘If you attend our Emergency Department with a non-life-threatening condition, you may wait more than eight hours to be seen and/or be sent to a more appropriate service elsewhere.'

In addition, the trust urged patients to use alternative services, such as local pharmacies or NHS 111.

‘If your loved one is in hospital and ready to go home, please help them by supporting their discharge home as soon as possible,' the trust added.