Visitors to Cornwall over the New Year period are being told to "bring first aid kits" as the health services in the county come under immense pressure.
Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust has warned they are under "incredible pressure" over the festive period and urged people to "think very carefully" before visiting.
On Wednesday, the South Western Ambulance Service declared a critical incident due to current pressures.
On Thursday, December 29, more than 450 patients were waiting for an ambulance across the South West. 106 patients were awaiting handover at hospitals in the region, and 482 were waiting for an ambulance.
In a now-deleted tweet, Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust on Wednesday urged holidaymakers to "be wise" and bring "these three self-care kings"; pain relief, flu and cold remedy and rehydration powders.
"And don't forget to pack any prescription medicines, too. #HelpUsHelpYou," the tweet ended.
Royal Cornwall Hospital's current waiting time to see a doctor is 24 minutes, Cornwall Live reports.
You can stay up-to-date with the emergency wait times via the NHS website.
Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust has also told its Twitter followers that people could help "by only calling 999 and using the emergency department for life-threatening illnesses and injuries".
They added that anyone visiting the county for New Year celebrations should be prepared and to "be wise.'
Additionally South Western Ambulance Service tweeted: "We’re facing extreme pressure, and our people are working hard to get everyone the help they need Please remember 999 is for life-threatening emergencies only."
SWASFT’s deputy director of operations, Wayne Darch, said: “Please help us to help the patients who need us most by only calling 999 if a patient has a life-threatening condition or illness.
"If the condition of a patient is not life-threatening we may direct them to an alternative service. So please help us by accessing the right service for the care you need."'
“We are doing all we can to manage these winter pressures and we are sorry that we are unable to respond to some patients as quickly as we would like. We will get to you as soon as we can. Please do not call back simply to ask for an estimated time of arrival of an ambulance. We cannot provide one, and it blocks our lines for other callers.
“I’d like to reiterate SWASFT’s thanks to our people and all our NHS partners working to deliver the best possible care they can for patients over the festive period.”
Adrian Harris, chief medical officer of Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said Exeter and Barnstaple's emergency departments were "under incredible pressure at the moment".
He said: "People should think very carefully before attending and use 111, go to a pharmacy or their GP. If you are in doubt, and you think you need help, then come see us. But we are very, very busy."
The urgent waiting times at Derriford Hospital, in Plymouth, is 1037 minutes, which is over 17 hours.
