NHS staff were forced to warn patients that every bed in their hospital was full - and pleaded with patients to be 'understanding with staff who are doing their best.'
The scene at James Paget Hospital in Norfolk epitomises the crisis within the NHS - with hospitals across the country warning of immense pressures on services.
The handwritten sign, taken on Monday in the hospital's emergency department, said: "All beds in the hospital are full today. This is seriously affecting our emergency department (A&E).
"Please consider alternatives if your problem is not an emergency. And please be understanding with our staff, who are doing their best."
Record numbers of patients are flooding back into the health service after years of delays caused by the Covid pandemic, which has seen A&E wait times reach record highs.
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Some hospitals are now actively encouraging people to stay away unless they have a life-threatening medical emergency due to being 'extremely busy'.
There are almost 6.5 million people currently on NHS waiting lists, with numbers increasing in recent months due to disruption caused by the pandemic.
The majority is from people waiting for tests and scans rather than operations.
Earlier this month Health Secretary Sajid Javid admitted hospitals were under 'huge pressure.'
His comments followed a viral video featuring a nurse at Princess Alexandra Hospital Trust warning patients that there were no more beds available - and there was a 13-hour wait.
Mr Javid said: "Because of the impact of Covid, we know already from our NHS estimates, we think some 11 to 13 million people stayed away from the NHS because of the pandemic.
"Many of those people are coming forward, many of those to A&E, and we're seeing very high levels of demand."
Dr Julia Patterson, chief executive of EveryDoctor, told the Mirror: "The NHS and its staff are currently under unbelievable pressure which never lets up, 24/7.
"Instead of listening to staff and working together with healthcare leaders, the government is putting the new Health and Care Act in place next week.
"It's the biggest shake-up of the NHS in over a decade, and many people fear it will lead to an acceleration in NHS privatisation. The Bill contains nothing to support staff, who are utterly exhausted after 2 years of intense pressure.
"NHS staff are going above and beyond every single day, and it's time that the government took responsibility for this ongoing crisis, to safeguard both patients and the staff caring for them."
The sign went viral after being shared online, with one frustrated woman writing: " Boris Johnson look at this!! Poor staff and poor people who have an emergency!!! Surely this should be at the top of your priorities? This is across the country."
Another used: "Had the misfortune of being in Stocport’s Stepping Hill A&E last night, where a clearly frazzled nurse came out said the waiting time was 5hrs. Rang Tameside Hospital today, their’s was 6 1/2 hrs."
A third wrote: "Well done Tories. Your lack of investment in the NHS is having the desired effect."
A spokesman for the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston, Norfolk said: "Our Emergency Department is currently very busy and we would urge people to only attend in a genuine emergency.
"Anyone who needs medical assistance should choose the right service for their healthcare needs - and should consider dialling 111 in the first instance or visiting the NHS 111 website.
