Hospital bosses are urging patients to only visit their A&E if it is an emergency due to long waiting times. 

Staff at James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston have said patients in the emergency department are facing long waiting times. 

A spokesman for the hospital said: "The A&E department is really busy at the moment, and unfortunately are waiting times are quite long. 

"If you need us we are here, but if your problem does not require the emergency department you may face a very long wait, because obviously we prioritise our sickest patients. 

"If you think your problem could be dealt with via 111 or a GP, please try them first as it may save you a very long wait in our department."

Last month it was revealed that the emergency department at the hospital scored among the very best in the country in a new survey of the care they provide.

The findings were made in a survey of patients conducted by the Care Quality Commission, the national regulator of hospital and care settings.