Hospitals declare critical incident over flu
Getty ImagesA critical incident has been declared at four hospitals due to "exceptional" numbers of patients with flu.
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust said "extreme" pressures were being experienced across its hospitals.
A spokesperson said 269 patients with flu required hospital admission - with mask-wearing being introduced across all clinical departments.
The trust, which runs Good Hope, Heartlands and Queen Elizabeth hospitals in Birmingham as well as Solihull Hospital said emergency departments remained "overcrowded".
It said, despite expanding capacity in its wards and A&Es, wait times remained "extended".
A statement added: "We are asking the communities we serve to think carefully about how they access healthcare.
"If you do not have an emergency or life-threatening condition you may be redirected to another healthcare service such as a pharmacy or NHS 111."
It added patients could check alternatives and see current waiting times on the trust's website.
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