Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge has cancelled non emergency surgeries and treatment as it’s gone into ‘black alert’ due to winter pressures.

The hospital is working to ease the ‘black alert’ situation – Opel level four – by diverting ambulances to other hospitals, and asking patients to only come to A&E if it is an accident or emergency.

The nearest alternative hospital for us would be Lister Hospital in Stevenage.

A Cambridge University Hospital spokesman said: “We can confirm that the hospital is at Opel Level Four, the highest level of alert, after seeing exceptional levels of acutely unwell patients needing inpatient beds. We are taking action to ease pressures and create flow through the hospital

“We are temporarily diverting ambulances to other trusts and elective surgery has been cancelled.

”We would like to apologise to patients for the inconvenience.

“Patients can help us at this time by only coming into A&E if it is an accident or emergency and by not bringing large numbers of family or friends into the department where seating is at a premium.”

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