People are being urged to think carefully about where to go for medical help this weekend.

Health services are currently seeing and treating a significant number of patients and it is expected this is only likely to rise over the coming weeks.

Worthing Hospital and St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester are extremely busy and patients are being warned they face long waits in A&E departments unless it is a real emergency.

Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust medical director Rob Haigh said: “Please do make yourself aware of the other treatment options available in your area, think about which one is most appropriate for you and encourage everyone you know to do the same. 

“If you do decide to come to A&E with something that could be dealt with elsewhere, the unfortunate reality is that you will be diverting an emergency doctor or nurse away from treating someone who really needs them. One day, that could be you or someone you love.”

Coastal West Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group clinical director David Whitehead said: “Everyone working within the NHS wants people to be able to receive the best possible care and to recover as quickly as possible. 

“There are pressures on local health services at the moment, in particular with a number of very sick and vulnerable older people. 

“The teams across the area are doing a fantastic job, but if people can support us and think about the range of services available when they need help it would ease the pressure.”

Alternative options are calling 111, seeing a pharmacist or making an out-of-hours GP appointment.