COLCHESTER Hospital is on black alert after a surge of patients to the emergency department.

Colchester General Hospital's accident and emergency department had the sudden influx of patients just after midnight on Tuesday.

The demand on services saw the hospital's rating changed from amber to black.

In total, 231 patients attended the emergency department on Tuesday with 56 of those attending between midnight and 8am - double the anticipated number.

Of the 231 patients, 127 were admitted which is also above average.

However, the hospital was able to discharge 115 patients on Tuesday which helped free up much-needed beds.

A spokesman for the hospital said after the first wave of increased demand, health and social care partners stepped up the focus on discharging patients who no longer need to be in an acute hospital bed.

Additional nursing resources were also diverted to the emergency department.

The hospital was still on black status yesterday *wed* but the situation was said to be improving.

By 3pm, 112 people had attended the emergency department.

No routine operations have had to be cancelled or postponed so far this week.

This time last year, the emergency department was in crisis due to an unprecedented demand on the service.

More than 1,100 patients went to the department between Christmas Day and New Year's Day and a major incident was declared.

The accident and emergency department had this year been coping until Tuesday's spike in demand.

A spokesman said: "This was due to many factors including good planning, excellent collaboration with partner organisations and the traditional reduction in routine surgery over the festive period, which had increased our capacity."

He added: "Our message to the public remains unchanged - accident and emergency departments should be used only in a critical or life-threatening situation.

"Examples of these include loss of consciousness, heavy blood loss, suspected broken bones, persistent chest pain, difficulty breathing, overdoes, signs of a stroke, ingestion or poisoning.

"If you’re feeling unwell, it’s important to make sure you seek the right help and advice and are aware of all the options, which include self-care, pharmacies, GP surgeries, NHS 111, Colchester walk-in centre and the minor injuries units at the community hospitals in Clacton and Harwich."