HEALTH bosses in south Devon have issued advice for keeping well over Christmas in the midst of strike action by nurses and paramedics.

Torbay and South Devon Trust says while the service is ‘very busy’, it is there to help.

The appeal to use health services ‘appropriately’ comes as images emerged of ambulances backed up at Torbay Hospital accident and emergency department on Monday night.

It has also been issued on the second day of the nurses taking industrial action and ahead of paramedics striking.

A statement from the trust says: ‘Our NHS is very busy at the moment, so please use the most appropriate service, and only visit the emergency department if you have a life-threatening or critical condition as staff need to focus on caring for people who need their help.

‘Please visit the emergency department or call 999 if you have chest pain; are having difficulty breathing; a stroke; severe burns or scalds; severe bleeding that cannot be stopped; have a severe allergic reaction, or a major trauma such as being involved in a road traffic collision; or are caring for someone who is unconscious or is having a fit that does not stop.’

The trust is asking people to help by collecting patients from hospital as quickly as possible and taking advice from other services including GPs, pharmacists and accessing online help, calling 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk

For trips, falls and burns, visit Newton Abbot hospital’s urgent treatment centre.

As flu and Covid cases rise, health experts are reminding people to reduce the risk by taking precautions such as washing hands and avoiding contact with others if you have symptoms.