A Northumberland A&E is recovering after an extremely busy day - but staff are still warning patients to make the right treatment choice.
Staff at the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital , near Cramlington, were forced to take to social media on Sunday to warn people not to attend the hospita l unless their condition was genuinely "critical or life-threatening".
An influx of patients had descended on their "very busy" waiting room, but not all of them needed to be there, and waiting times for less urgent cases stretched up to eight hours.
On Monday, a spokesperson for the Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said the queues had now reduced.
However, they reiterated the need for patients to help reduce strain on emergency services where possible.
The trust's executive medical director, Dr Jeremy Rushmer, said: “The NHS will always be there when it’s needed.
"However, in order to provide the best possible care we ask that people access the right service for their needs.
“Accident & Emergency is for those in immediate need of emergency or lifesaving care; it isn’t a walk in centre.
"As alternatives, our urgent care centres and minor injuries units offer outstanding care for a huge range of conditions. Equally, your local pharmacist can offer expert advice as a point of first contact.
“If you’re in doubt about what’s available or may be right for you please dial NHS 111.”
Urgent care centres in the Northumbria area are located at Hexham, North Tyneside and Wansbeck hospitals.
The NHS recommends people should visit A&E in cases of:
- loss of consciousness
- acute confused state and fits that are not stopping
- chest pain
- breathing difficulties
- severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
- severe allergic reactions
- severe burns or scalds
- stroke
- major trauma such as a road traffic accident
