Patients are being asked to think twice before visiting Royal Preston Hospital over the festive period.

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust says its accident and emergency and urgent care services are experiencing significant pressures.

With strike action taking place this week, the Trust says people attending A&E can expect a long wait.

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A spokesperson for the Trust said: “The number of people attending our Emergency Department at the Royal Preston and Assessment and Treatment Centre at Chorley and South Ribble District Hospital is very high.

“Our teams are working exceptionally hard to see everyone who needs our help as soon as we possibly can.

“Our urgent and emergency care services are for people with a life-threatening conditions. People attending our emergency department with more minor conditions may experience a long wait before being seen.

“We are therefore urging people to consider using other local health services including their local pharmacy or GP before attending A&E.”

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If you’re unsure which service to use, call 111 or visit 111 online.

A list of pharmacies open over the festive period can be found on the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board website.

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