A HOSPITAL has had to suspend elective surgeries due to 'immense pressure' and 'very high demand' on its services.

Dorset County Hospital has also said it is facing staffing challenges due to an increasing number of Covid cases.

Hospital bosses say the decision to postpone routine procedures means it can continue cancer surgery and emergency care.

It is asking people to only attend the emergency department for serious or life-threatening issues.

A spokesperson for Dorset County Hospital said: "Dorset County Hospital is continuing to operate under immense pressure due to very high demand on our Emergency Department, full wards, increasing Covid cases and staffing challenges due to sickness and self-isolation.

"To ensure we are able to safely continue with emergency and urgent cancer surgery, we have taken the difficult decision to postpone routine elective surgery over the next few days. We are sorry we have to do this as we understand the impact it has on people due to come in for surgery and we will reschedule as soon as possible.

"We are trying our best to run outpatient appointments as usual, but this is an evolving situation so please bear with us if we have to make short-notice changes due staff absence.

"We will contact anyone affected directly, so if you have not heard from us please attend your appointment as planned.

"Our priority will be restoring services safely at the earliest opportunity.

"Please help us manage this challenging situation by only attending the Emergency Department for serious or life-threatening injuries and conditions.

"We are also appealing to families to help us get relatives home promptly when they are ready to leave hospital so we have beds available for patients who need to be urgently admitted."