Hundreds more people have gone to A&E this winter compared with last year, putting a severe strain on Darent Valley Hospital.

The hospital, which serves a population of 340,000 people across Gravesham and Dartford, is seeing about 330 people heading to the emergency department each day.

In December 2015, 8,242 people attended the A&E, but this increased by 751 in 2016, with 8,993 people using the service.

A spokesman for Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust said: “We are experiencing an extremely high demand for hospital services with an average of 330 patients being seen daily in our emergency department.

“This is the busiest time of year for the NHS, when people needing emergency care and/or admission is at its highest.

“We are working hard with our partners across the local health economy to free beds currently occupied by patients who are ready to leave hospital, but this is a slow process.”

He added: “We are asking people in our local community who need non-emergency care to visit their GP, walk-in centre or minor injuries unit to get the most appropriate treatment they need, rather than visiting A&E.

“You will be helping to free more staff to deal with genuine emergencies and lifesaving care provided by A&E.

“If you are unsure of which service you need, call NHS 111 for advice.”

Figures show that on average, an extra 70 people each day have been going to A&E or to the minor injury units (MIU) at Gravesham Community Hospital.

The number of people seeking emergency care last winter was about 8,500 between December 1, 2015 and January 1, 2016 – an average of 266 a day over the 32-day period,

But this winter there were 10,764 attendances over the same period – 336 a day on average. Of those, just 13% went to the MIU with the rest heading to A&E at Darent Valley.

A&E saw its highest number of attendances on December 27, when there were 337 patients – the same day 61 people went to the MIU.

Figures show there were just two days in 2015 when total attendances numbered more than 300, but in 2016, 28 days out of 32 were more than 300.

The highest number of attendances in 2015 was on December 1 with 321, but in 2016 this was 428 on December 5. The lowest number in 2015 was 215 on December 23, and in 2016, 227 on Christmas Day.

The local Clinical Commissioning Groups, which are responsible for planning and buying local NHS services, have also asked people with minor illnesses or non-life-threatening conditions not to go to A&E.

A spokesman said: “With these high levels of demand, the system is under serious pressure and priority is being given to those patients with urgent life-threatening injuries and illnesses.

“We are also urging residents to consider their options before visiting the emergency department at any of the area’s hospitals.”

The minor injury units in Gravesend, Sittingbourne and Sheppey are open at weekends and patients can walk in between 8am and 8pm in Gravesend, and 9am to 9pm in Sittingbourne and Sheppey. GP-led walk-in centres are also open at weekends in Northfleet, Gillingham and Sheppey.

Pharmacists can also advise on the treatment of a range of minor ailments. The free Health Help Now website and app enable people to check their symptoms and search for local health services.

Darent Valley Hospital is advising people to keep warm and hydrated during the severe cold snap which has been forecast for the end of the week.

A spokesman said: “If you are elderly or have elderly friends or relatives, keeping warm and hydrated could help to save an emergency admission to hospital.

“Older people are vulnerable to dehydration and need to drink regularly to stay healthy.

“They are at particular risk of urine infections, confusion and falls if they become too dehydrated.”

The recommended amount of non-alcoholic fluid is 1600ml for women and 2000ml for men, equivalent to about six to eight glasses of water a day.