Adults with minor injuries or illnesses will not be treated at Watford General Hospital due to pressures on A&E services.

There is a lack of beds and services are being stretched to the limit due to the sheer number of people arriving at the hospital.

Services for adults with minor injuries or illnesses will be suspended until 3pm at the earliest.

Patients will be assessed by a doctor when they arrive.

If their condition is not serious, they will be advised to receive treatment elsewhere due to pressures in the A&E department.

Children's and maternity services are not affected. More than 200 people with serious illnesses or injuries were taken into the hospital yesterday. 

In a statement, West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust said: “Patients whose conditions are not likely to be life-threatening have a range of options.

“They can visit our Urgent Care Centre at Hemel Hempstead Hospital, which is open 24 hours a day, or the Minor Injuries Unit at St Albans Hospital, open 9am to 8pm.

“Patients from the Pinner and Northwood area can visit the Minor Injuries Unit at Mount Vernon Hospital, which is open from 9am to 8pm.”