DUDLEY hospital chiefs have issued an urgent plea to people to only attend A&E if they are suffering from a serious or life-threatening condition.

Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley, the borough's main hospital, is "extremely busy" - Diane Wake, chief executive of the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust has said today (Tuesday) so people suffering minor ailments and injuries are urged to use an alternative NHS service.

She said: “If people do come to hospital with minor conditions, they could have a very long wait as our most poorly patients will be seen and treated first.

"We ask that patients only come to A&E if they need this level of service and consider instead NHS 111, the ‘Ask NHS’ app, local pharmacists or their GPs rather than coming to the Emergency Department at Russells Hall Hospital."