A "critical incident" has been declared at Royal Stoke University Hospital due to the high number of people needing treatment.

University of North Midlands Trust (UHNM) made the declaration yesterday (Wednesday 14 January) explaining that they are experiencing "extremely high demand for all its services".

The pressure is highest in the emergency departments, particularly at Royal Stoke University Hospital which is facing on-going challenges admitting patients to beds promptly.

Mike Goodwin, UHNM Deputy Chief Operating Officer, said: "We are currently experiencing increased demand on our services and are under extreme pressure.

"We have therefore taken the decision to declare a critical incident. This helps us to take additional measures to maintain safe services for our patients."

The trust is now working with NHS and Local Authority partners to ensure that people who need hospital and emergency care are treated quickly, and to discharge patients that do not require hospital care.

Emergency departments will continue to see the sickest patients first which may lead to "much longer delays" for other patients.

The trust has urged people to only use A&E in a serious or life threatening emergency and to pick up discharged patients as soon as possible.

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Mike Goodwin added: "I would like to thank our staff for their on-going efforts during this extremely busy period and the public for their understanding and co-operation."