NHS managers in Surrey say all the county's hospitals are under "significant pressure". It comes as the health service across the country is dealing with an increased number of flu cases. Patients are being asked to help by making sure they are using the correct service.

A Surrey hospital has stepped down its Critical Incident after three days. On Thursday, January 2 the Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust announced that East Surrey Hospital was facing a ‘critical’ situation.

Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust has declared a critical incident at East Surrey Hospital owing to high levels of sickness and of demands on its staff

A hospital in Surrey has declared a critical incident in order to "continue to deliver safe care to those who need it most", a spokesperson said. All patients and visitors at East Surrey Hospital in Redhill are required to wear a face mask in clinical areas due to an increase in respiratory infections.

A Surrey hospital has been placed in a 'critical' situation. Due to high levels of demand and winter viruses, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust have declared a 'critical incident' at East Surrey Hospital to help ensure it can continue to deliver safe care to those who need it most.

A number of NHS trusts in England have declared critical incidents amid "exceptionally high demands" on emergency departments. One trust said it is seeing "high numbers of older patients with respiratory problems exacerbated by the cold weather".

A critical incident remains in place for a second day at a Surrey hospital, while others have warned of being under "extreme pressure" and being "very busy". East Surrey Hospital in Redhill declared the critical incident on Thursday in order to "continue to deliver safe care to those who need it most", a spokesperson said.