Exeter health chiefs are urging the public to only attend hospital accident and emergency departments with serious or life threatening conditions after a surge in the number of people turning up with flu symptoms.
Doctors said that coughs and sore throats could be dealt with better by other health services, especially during a period when hospitals have warned they are under unprecedented pressure.
The plea came after the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (RDE) has reported seeing a higher number of people coming to the emergency department than usual – with a particular spike in patients attending with the flu.
Dr Simon Kerr, a GP from Ottery St Mary and vice-chair of the Eastern Locality of Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (NEW Devon CCG), which plans and buys healthcare for the area, urged people to think twice.
"We are encouraging people with flu symptoms to visit their GP or pharmacy, or call NHS 111, rather than bringing the virus into the hospital," he said.
"If you think you may be contagious, stay at home or ring your GP or pharmacy for advice."
NEW Devon CCG said everyone attending the emergency department could expect the same standard of treatment but added "the public can help us manage the pressures over winter by using the department only for medical emergencies."
The organisations said there were many other options for treatment for less urgent complaints and conditions, such as the NHS 111 service, GP, pharmacist or walk-in centre.
People are also advised not to visit the hospital and to call their relatives instead if they are experiencing flu symptoms, to prevent the virus from spreading.
Director of public health for Devon, Dr Virginia Pearson said: "We would advise people not to visit friends or relatives in hospital if they are feeling unwell themselves – coughs, colds and flu can spread quickly to patients who are already very poorly.
"We also need to protect our hospital staff from getting ill, especially at this time of year when hospitals are so busy."
Influenza, or flu, is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. It occurs most often in winter, and the local area is currently seeing an increased reporting of flu-like illness.
For most people influenza infection is very unpleasant, but for some it can lead to more serious illnesses.
It is very important to protect those who are vulnerable to infection, said Dr Pearson.
She said that to reduce the risk to people already in hospital, please do not visit the hospital if you have any of these symptoms:• Heavy cold• Fever (feeling hot and cold)• Sore throat• Cough• Muscles aches and pains
Anyone with an appointment in out patients who has any of the above symptoms is advised to contact the department in question for further advice.
