'WE'RE still here for you' ­— that's the message from Royal Bolton Hospital.

People with appointments are being urged to still attend and Accident and Emergency is open, but only for those with serious or life threatening conditions such as:

•Chest pains

•Stroke symptoms

•Heavy bleeding

•Severe tummy pain or headache

•A child who is very unwell

Francis Andrews, medical director, said :"The health, safety and wellbeing, of all our patients, communities and staff in the hospital and in the community remain our absolute priority, now more than ever. Your hospital is still here for you but as we continue to deal with Covid-19 we need to do things a little differently.

"If you have an appointment it is really important that you attend. We have processes in place to make sure you are safe.

"Our A&E department is also currently open but only for those with serious or life threatening conditions."

Social distancing measures are in place across the hospital. Only patients attending appointments or needing A&E treatment will be allowed into the building.

Dr Andrews said: "Friends and relatives will be asked to wait in their cars or to go home. We know this may be difficult but it really is important to help stop the spread of Covid-19.

"If you have been invited to the hospital for diagnostic services such as tests and scans or treatment for conditions such as cancer please keep your appointment. We are doing all we can to keep these services safely open.

"If you are pregnant and have been invited to an appointment for antenatal care, or for postnatal care once you’ve had your baby, please attend. It’s really important for the health of you and your baby that you attend routine scans and appointments.