Six hospitals have issued a joint urging people not to attend A&E unless for "genuine, life-threatening situations" after a surge in patient numbers left some facing a wait of up to 12 hours.
NHS trusts in West Yorkshire and Harrogate in North Yorkshire say they have been forced to prioritise those suffering with acute illness or injuries due to current patient demand.
Last month the hospitals, which cover areas of more than 2.5 million people, released a statement saying Covid patients are still placing 'significant strain' on staff and services, according to the Mirror.
West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts also stated the latest most emergency department figures show a attendance is up by 14.2% compared with the same week last year.
Dr Andrew Lockey, emergency medicine consultant with Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, said: "It's really important that people only come to an accident and emergency department if they really need to.
"Our hospitals are extremely busy, and people are having to wait a long time to be seen.
"Over the past two weeks we've faced huge challenges with the sharp uplift in the number of people attending accident and emergency.
"This places additional pressure on our teams who are responsible for treating patients with serious and life-threatening conditions.
"If you are unwell and are unsure which healthcare service you need, call NHS 111. A highly trained clinical adviser will direct you to the most appropriate service."
It comes as a health board in Wales asked patients to only attend one of its hospitals in life-threatening cases.
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board has said its services are under "under sustained and unprecedented pressure".
A spokesperson said the Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran is seeing "a record number of attendances" and that non-life-threatening patients were waiting more than 14 hours to see a doctor.
A statement yesterday read: "The health board is under sustained and unprecedented pressure. Despite actions to try to stabilise our services today we have had to declare a state of ‘business continuity’.
"Our emergency department at the Grange University Hospital is extremely busy, and we have seen a record number of attendances, and waits to see a doctor, in some cases, are greater than 14 hours where the patient’s condition isn’t life threatening.
"We have very few beds available across our hospitals to accommodate patients requiring admission.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland's hospital trusts have issued a public warning.
Hospital bosses say coronavirus is continuing to 'exacerbate' pressures.
Patients are now facing waits of up to 60 hours in emergency departments to be moved to a bed on a ward.
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