Kingston Hospital has invoked emergency “black alert” status twice in early January - a system where ambulances are told go to neighbouring hospitals.

Across London, the NHS has been under pressure as the prolonged cold weather and flu and winter vomiting bugs hit the public and its own staff.

Accident and emergency departments have also had to treat people who have fallen or slipped on icy ground.

A spokesman for Kingston Hospital confirmed that the hospital had been on black alert twice but said at no point had any ambulances been turned away from the hospital.

Kingston NHS Primary Care Trust released a statement saying that it was working with other London health trusts to let the public know of other options than hospital.

“The aim of the campaign is to urge Londoners to consider other ways of help before calling 999 or going to hospitals and A&E departments,” it said.

Patients should go to their local GP walk in clinic, seek advice from a pharmacist or call NHS Direct unless they are seriously ill.

Nearly 1.5m patients – 92,601 more than the same period in 2007 – visited A&E across England over December, an increase of nearly 7 per cent, according to figures obtained by the Nursing Times.

Sian Thomas, director of NHS Employers, said: “Some hospitals have said that it has been the worst winter for nine or 10 years.

“The pressure is making it difficult to free up one single bed. When you are already working at 90 to 95 per cent capacity, it has pushed people over the edge.”

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