People are being urged to stay away from hospital A&E departments unless it is a genuine emergency.

Hospitals across south west Hertfordshire are under extreme pressure as they battle to cope with a surge in demand following the Christmas and New Year break.

The recent colder weather has also been a factor in the number of elderly and vulnerable patients being admitted for treatment.

The county’s major hospital trust is asking people to consider alternatives to A&E and to only come in if they are seriously unwell or have suffered a major injury.

Dr Vipul Parbat, urgent care lead GP for Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “The Accident and Emergency departments at our hospitals only have the capacity to treat people who have serious, life-threatening or dangerous conditions.

"Ambulances should only be called in genuine emergencies. If you use emergency services incorrectly you are risking the lives of others and won’t get the best treatment for your illness.

“If you come to A&E in Hertfordshire with a minor health complaint, your care will not be a priority and you may be sent away to visit a GP or pharmacist.

“People who do come to A&E with a minor condition or illness will all face extremely long waits.

“Do not attend our hospitals with common winter illnesses, such as chest infections, coughs and colds, diarrhoea or vomiting.

"Our hospitals are under extreme pressure which is why it’s vital that everyone understands the urgency of the situation and what you can do to protect our essential hospital services this winter.”

Part of the problem are the delays in arranging community care and support for patients ready to be discharged, which leads to a shortage of available beds and long waits in A&E.

Altneratives to A&E include walk-in centres, minor injuries units, GPS, pharmacists.

Help is also available through the NHS 111 line.