A hospital is remaining on a crisis footing this weekend, appealing to the public for their help.

The ‘Gold Command’ team of senior clinicians and executives from across the health and care system at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust is convening twice daily over the weekend to maintain safe care and emergency measures are being taken.

All services have been asked to run a full service with increased staff levels for the whole weekend.

Relatives and friends have been asked to help by collecting and supporting patients immediately when they are ready to leave hospital.

Patient choice on care placement is suspended for two weeks which means patients going to a care placement will need to take the first available bed in Cornwall so that more urgent patients can get into hospital. 

People have been asked to use the Emergency Department only in a genuine emergency. 

“We have secured additional primary care support and GPs are working alongside colleagues in West Cornwall Urgent Care Centre and Camborne and Redruth Primary Care Centre to prevent admission into hospital,” a statement said.

Non-urgent operations at Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro have been cancelled. “A top priority for Gold Command is to return beds at Royal Cornwall Hospital to surgical teams to provide safe care,” the statement said.

“Health and care services have been under extreme pressure over this winter.”