TORBAY Hospital has issued an appeal not to visit its emergency department unless it is a life-threatening emergency.

The department is currently described as ‘very busy’.

A spokesman for Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust said: ‘Please do not come to our emergency department unless you need life-saving care.

‘Our emergency department at Torbay Hospital is very busy and we’re seeing lots of people who could be treated by another service.

‘Only use our emergency department if you need life-saving care for conditions such as chest pain, breathing difficulties, unconsciousness or severe bleeding.’Anyone who comes to our emergency department with a minor ailment or condition will be sent to our urgent treatment centre at Newton Abbot or our minor injuries department at Totnes.

‘Our doctors and nurses can treat conditions including suspected and broken bones, injuries from slipping on the ice, something which needs an x-ray or stitching and animal bites.

‘We’re doing this to ensure our emergency teams can focus on treating people who need life-saving care.

‘Thank you for your understanding and support.’

Dawlish Minor Injuries Unit should also be open. It was closed last week due to staff shortages but had been expected to reopen on Monday.