### Devon Hospital Issues Public Appeal Patients have been advised to attend a Devon hospital’s Accident and Emergency (A&E) department only if facing a **life-threatening condition** or a **serious injury**. ### Overwhelmed Emergency Services Hospital officials reported a significant increase in patient numbers, putting extreme pressure on staff and emergency care services. Minor illnesses and non-urgent conditions are contributing to overcrowding, which in turn delays treatment for those in critical need. ### Alternative Care Options Local health authorities urged residents to use other available healthcare services before heading to the emergency department. These include: - Contacting their general practitioner (GP). - Visiting a local pharmacy. - Calling NHS 111 for medical advice. ### Public Health Message A hospital representative stated: > “Please help us protect patients who need the most urgent care. Use emergency services for genuine, life-threatening situations only.” ### Operational Strain Emergency staff are working under heavy strain as resources are diverted to critical cases. Authorities are reminding people that inappropriate A&E visits risk stretching capacity further and increasing wait times for everyone. *** **Author’s summary:** Devon health officials have urged the public to use A&E solely for emergencies as a surge of non-urgent visits overwhelms hospital capacity.

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BBC on MSN — 2025-11-30