Hospital asks for help after hitting 'peak levels'

There is a long wait for those needing emergency care at the Newport hospital

A hospital has asked for help after declaring its urgent care wards were "full".

Patients are facing lengthy waits to be seen in the Emergency Department at St Mary's Hospital on the Isle of Wight.

Delays in being able to transfer people to emergency care was putting pressure across the health and care system, according to the island's NHS trust.

People have been asked to collect their relatives from hospital as soon as they are discharged, to help free up beds.

How to help

The island's ambulance service has been responding to a high number of 999 and 111 calls, the trust said.

The problem was first announced on Tuesday.

It did not give a reason for the increase in calls or number of patients in hospital.

Victoria Lauchlan, the trust's boss, said staff were working "around the clock" to help relieve the pressure on the health service.

“If you have a relative or loved one in hospital please speak to staff on the ward about how you can help them to leave hospital and if you are able to support them at home for a short time until a plan for their ongoing care is in place," she said.

"Every time one patient leaves the hospital it helps another person move through the hospital to ensure they get the care they need."

Similar incidents were declared at the hospital in March and December.