People are asked to only attend Calderdale Royal Hospital or Huddersfield Royal Infirmary if their condition is urgent or an emergency. Both hospitals and the A&E departments are extremely busy.
Visitors to the hospital are also asked to stay home if they are feeling unwell, especially with flu symptoms, coughs and colds.
If you need urgent medical advice, people are asked to use NHS 111 – either online at 111.nhs.uk - or over the phone, which will help you find the best service to use.
Tom Ladlow, Head Nurse, Urgent and Emergency Care, Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I urge people to please choose NHS services wisely so we can prioritise our patients with life-threatening emergencies. NHS 111 online should be your first port of call if you are unsure where to go.
“We have seen people coming in with conditions such as coughs, colds and flu, and skin infections, that could be treated by a GP practice, pharmacy, or at home with advice from the NHS website. If we triage you and your condition isn’t appropriate to be treated in A&E, we will discharge you to be treated by a more appropriate service.
“I would like to thank people for their understanding and for choosing well, which keeps our services free for those who need them the most.”
Gemma Berriman, Chief Operating Officer, CHFT, said: “Our hospitals are very busy, and we are seeing people coming to our A&E with conditions that are not urgent or an emergency, and we have more cases of flu and respiratory illnesses in our hospitals than usual.
“There is lots of advice on the NHS website about how to manage a range of illnesses, and NHS 111 online can help you if you are unsure.
“If you have a scheduled appointment at one of our hospitals, or our Community Diagnostic Centres, please come as normal. But if you are feeling unwell due to flu, coughs or colds, please call us using the phone number on your appointment letter to reschedule your appointment, as it will help keep our other patients and our colleagues well.”
For tips and advice on staying well, and information on health and care services across Calderdale and Kirklees, go to Together We Can.