York Hospital expects to deal with up to 30 extra patients each day during the Royal Ascot race meeting in York.

Health chiefs predicted between 20 and 30 racegoers could descend on York Hospital's accident and emergency department during next month's five-day festival suffering minor injuries, mainly caused by alcohol.

They are to increase staffing in A&E and the Monkgate walk-in centre.

A York Hospitals NHS Trust spokeswoman said: "We've increased staffing in A&E to cope with the demand we're expecting during the day and in the evening.

"It will mainly be alcohol and minor injuries, which is the sort of thing we would expect during a normal race meeting with lots of people coming into the city centre."

She said health officials were also encouraging patients to allow extra time when travelling for appointments.

Meanwhile, charity door-to-door transport service York Wheels said only four of its 34-strong team of voluntary drivers would be working Ascot week over fears of race day gridlock.

The service, which helps housebound elderly and disabled people reach health services, is asking users to change appointments and only book for Ascot week in urgent cases.

Ruth Potter, chairwoman of York Wheels, said she was not surprised volunteers did not want to sit in traffic all week. She called on people who had to use the heavily restricted service during Ascot to book early.

Mike Parry, York Wheels transport co-ordinator, said the diary was already full, although some spaces might emerge from cancellations.

Tees East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service (TENYAS) said it would be laying on extra resources in the city and at York Racecourse.

Five ambulance crews, six GPs, three emergency nurse practitioners and more than 60 St John Ambulance first-aiders will be on hand at the course, staffing five first-aid bases. Minor injuries will be treated in one of the first-aid centres to avoid casualties being taken to hospital.

An ambulance will also be based at York Railway Station, and a mobile unit in the city centre.

The Evening Press reported yesterday how some health services had been cancelled or moved so staff and patients could avoid Ascot congestion.

Updated: 10:33 Thursday, May 19, 2005