THE James Paget University has been placed on 'black alert' several times over the past week as staff and wards are overwhelmed by high patient numbers.

Hospitals across the region have been reporting a big increase in admissions, but at the James Paget things got so serious that it led to the hospital being placed on its highest level of alert.

Senior managers at the Gorleston hospital said yesterday that the situation was being constantly monitored, and that an increase in emergency admissions and surgical trauma patients over the weekend had led to significant pressure on resources on Monday.

This was further compounded by continuing high attendance in A&E and emergency admissions.

People in Waveney and Great Yarmouth are now being asked to help alleviate these pressures by considering alternatives to A&E, such as attending a minor injuries unit or walk-in centres.

Nick Coveney, director of nursing at the James Paget, said: 'Because of our location within a popular holiday destination, we are used to fluctuating numbers of patients throughout the year and it is too early to say if this is the onset of significant winter pressures.'

A spokesman for the N&N said it had seen a rise in respiratory illnesses and while very busy, it was working hard with social services to ensure elderly people in particular were not bed blocking.

•NHS Greyfriars, in Greyfriars Way, Great Yarmouth, is open from 8am to 8pm every day, including Bank Holidays or other public holidays and can be contacted on 01493 335340. The minor injuries unit at Beccles Hospital in St Mary's Road, Beccles, is open from 8am to 8pm every day, and can be contacted on 01502 719820. The minor injuries unit at Patrick Stead Hospital in Bungay Road, Halesworth, is open from 8am to 6pm from Monday to Friday, and can be contacted on 01986 872124.