Addebrooke’s Hospital is urging patients to familarise themselves with the medical help that’s available over the Easter holidays, amid the level three ‘black alert’.

The Cambridge hospital is asking that people only come to A&E if it’s an accident or emergency over Easter, as it still faces extreme winter pressures.

On Monday, it announced being in the top tier of ‘black alert’, and had to start distributing its ambulances to other hosptials including Lister Hospital in Stevenage.

Yesterday, ambulances were arriving at the hospital as normal as the situation has improved slightly.

Cambridgeshire University Hospitals is referring people to useful information on the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group website, where it explains that NHS 111 is open 24/7 and connects patients to a team of trained advisers who are supported by experienced nurses, paramedics and GPs.

Pharamacies are open across the area during Easter and can help with a range of complaints including aches, hangovers, colds, emergency contraception and non-prescription medicine.

There is a new First Response Service in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough which gives those in mental health crisis the opportunity to access by calling NHS 111 and selecting option two.

The new service allows patients or carers to speak to specially-trained mental health staff who can provide advice, support, and signposting to other services. This is available 24/7.

Minor illness and injury units can treat a range of minor illnesses and injuries such as sprains and strains, broken bones, minor burns and scalds, minor head and eye injuries, bites and stings.

These can be found at Princess of Wales Hospital, North Cambridgeshire Hospital, Peterborough MIIU and Doddington Community Hospital.

For details of further medical support go to cambridgeshireandpeterboroughccg.nhs.uk.