Hospital chiefs in Cornwall dealing with ’extremely busy’ casualty departments have appealed for public help.

Toby Slade, emergency department clinical director, said: ’Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro is extremely busy at the moment and we are caring for a high number of emergency patients alongside a large number of people who are delayed in hospital.

’I would urge people to only come to the emergency department in a genuine emergency and seek alternative services where they can, for example through NHS 111.

’We are also asking families, friends and other care providers to help where they can so that patients can leave hospital quickly when they are ready to do so.’