Devon Hospitals critical incident is stood down

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust said its emergency department at Derriford Hospital was "very full"

A week long critical incident affecting Devon's hospital emergency departments has ended.

People were asked to avoid the emergency department where possible on Monday 22 January due to a backlog of patients.

A critical alert is declared when NHS staff are concerned they cannot provide priority services.

Health bosses thanked staff for their 'huge efforts' during this period.

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust said the incident was declared due to "sustained higher emergency attendances."

Patients not in a life-threatening condition were redirected to NHS 111, the urgent treatment centre at the Cumberland centre in Plymouth or minor injury units at Kingsbridge and Tavistock.

In a statement, the trust said it wanted to thank the public for only attending the Emergency Department for serious or life threatening conditions and using other services.

An NHS Cornwall critical incident due to pressure on the emergency department at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro has also ended.