There were 59 emergency admissions on one day in February

North Devon District Hospital normally admits 17 people a day through accident and emergency.

But on one day in February that figure rose to 59.

The hospital is asking patients to be understanding while it tries to manage the increase.

Accident and emergency departments around the region have been continuing to report rises in emergency admissions.

But the increase at North Devon is in addition to the long-term upward trend.

Additional pressure

Staff are said to be pulling out all the stops to meet the additional pressure.

But there is no particular reason for the problem, according to the hospital.

There have been no outbreaks of disease to account for the dramatic increase.

Most hospitals say there is a general trend for patients to turn up at hospitals, instead of waiting to be referred for treatment through their general practitioner.