A surge in the number of people seeking medical attention at the hospital’s accident and emergency department has put medics there under strain.

Now Manx Care, the body that runs health services at arm’s length from the government, is urging people to avoid attending the department unless they need to.

A spokesperson from Manx Care said: ’The pressure being experienced in the Emergency Department at Noble’s Hospital is due to a high volume of people (adults and children) attending who are very poorly and require urgent medical attention, alongside a number of patients with comorbidities (additional conditions occurring along with a primary condition) who require admission to hospital for further tests and treatment.

’This is putting significant strain on the department’s capacity.

’This is on top of the normal winter pressures which are ordinarily experienced by the health and care system at this time of year.’

People are being asked to consider going to the Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) at Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital instead if appropriate.

Manx Care says the staff there can provide treatment for a wide range of minor illnesses and injuries that require medical help, but do not need specialist support from the A&E team at Noble’s.

This includes things like burns and scalds, suspected breaks and dislocations, sprains, rashes and skin complaints, infections including eye and ear complaints, falls and emergency contraception.

While the MIU is based in the north, it is not purely for use by residents of the north and in many cases, patients may be seen faster there.

The MIU is open from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week.

Manx Care says it’s continuing to closely monitor the situation.

For immediate emergency treatment and advice, people should still call 999.

Health bosses say people should always dial 999 in the event someone is seriously ill or injured, their life is at risk, or for any other life-threatening emergency.

For non-urgent medical inquiries, concerns about a condition or advice relating to health and wellbeing, people should contact their GP or local pharmacist.

Members of the public shouldn’t enter either hospital if they’re sick or showing any symptoms relating to Covid-19, they’ve been in contact with anyone with Covid-19 in the last ten days, they’ve tested positive for Covid-19 using a Lateral Flow Device (LFD) or lab test, they’re awaiting the results of a Covid-19 test, or they’ve been legally instructed to self-isolate by the 111 Team as part of a travel pathway to enter the island.

An exception applies if people need emergency hospital treatment.