The Isle of Wight NHS Trust enters 2023 still facing a critical demand for its services.

A request for Islanders to think carefully, before heading straight to St Mary's Hospital,  has been in place since the start of December.

It is still in action around one month after it was introduced.

There are a number of ways we can help the Newport hospital team deal with demand, this winter.

We are being asked to use the Emergency Department only for life threatening injuries or illnesses.

Visit NHS 111 online, or call NHS 111, for non-urgent health advice.

We are told to only call 999 in the event of a life-threatening illness or injury.

Consider contacting a pharmacist or GP, in less serious cases, says the Isle of Wight NHS Trust.

The hospital is also asking us to collecting family and friends as soon as they are ready to be discharged.