Two Somerset hospitals have declared critical incidents due to sharp rises in patients presenting with flu and other respiratory illnesses.

Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton and Yeovil Hospital have joined more than a dozen hospitals across the UK which have declared critical incidents due to "extremely high demand" for their services, especially within their accident and emergency departments.

The Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (which manages both hospitals) has sought to reassure the public, issuing advice for those attending both A&E and regular outpatient appointments.

A spokesman said: "Like many other hospitals in the region and across the country, we have seen a significant increase in the number of flu and respiratory illness cases.

"Colleagues and teams from across the trust have been working exceptionally hard to see and treat our patients as quickly as possible during times of huge demand.

"We are also working closely with our health and care partners to ensure that patients who are ready to leave hospital can be discharged, at the earliest opportunity.

"Patient safety is our top priority and colleagues from across the trust are working together to ensure that we can continue to provide urgent and emergency care for all patients, and to keep as many routine services running as possible."

While the critical incident is in effect, those needing to attend A&E should try to do so alone if possible, due to "very limited" space within the waiting areas of both departments.

Those attending should expect longer waiting times, and patients may be redirected to alternative NHS services – including Somerset's urgent treatment centres (which have largely replaced its minor injuries units), your local GP, a pharmacist or the NHS 111 service.

Some non-urgent, planned treatments and appointments may need to be postponed as staff from across the hospitals seek to assist their colleagues within the emergency department.

However, patients who have appointments are advised to attend unless they have been informed to the contrary.

A spokesman said: "If you have an appointment, please attend as planned.

"Please don't call to check if your appointment is going ahead. We will contact you directly if we need to make any changes to your planned care."

Patients who have symptoms of flu, covid-19 or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are advised not to visit either site if possible, and should wear masks if they need to visit to protect patients and staff.

The spokesman added: "It is really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.

"For non-urgent care needs, we would encourage you to seek help from NHS 111, before attending our hospital sites."

 For more information, including on the range of NHS services you can access, visit www.nhssomerset.nhs.uk.