YORK Hospital has been "exceptionally busy" over Christmas and the New Year - but it is coping well, a spokesperson has said.

Both York and Scarborough Hospitals have had more emergency attendances than last year but both hospitals are coping.

A spokesperson for the York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: "We would like to thank our staff for their continued hard work and commitment to our patients.

"Our winter contingency and escalation plans are in place which includes opening additional beds alongside planning to do less elective activity. In recent weeks we have also made changes to some of our processes to help smooth a patient’s journey through the hospital and to reduce unnecessary delays from the emergency department all the way through the system to discharge.

"Ward 37 at York Hospital is currently closed due to Norovirus. Closing wards helps us to contain the virus but we would ask visitors to think carefully before paying any non-essential visits to the hospital."

A year ago, York Hospital struggled with very high numbers of emergency admissions and Scarborough was so overrun with admissions that a major incident was declared.

The hospital has asked people to remember that the emergency department is there for life-threatening emergencies.

- You can call NHS 111 for advice, visit a Minor Injuries or Urgent Care Centre, make an appointment to see your GP or visit a pharmacist.