More than 330 people attended emergency departments in Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells on December 25 - making it the hospitals’ busiest Christmas Day on record.

It comes as the trust running the hospitals again reminds patients to avoid A&E where possible - only using the department for genuine emergencies or life-threatening illnesses and accidents, such as loss of consciousness, acute confused state and fits that are not stopping, persistent, severe chest pain, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped.

Instead, bosses urge the public to ring 111 when medical help is needed quickly, but is not a 999 emergency, with calls free from landlines and mobile phones.

Alternatively, help for a minor injury or illness, such as a minor cut or head injury with no loss of consciousness, can be sought at a local minor injury unit.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust’s acting chief executive Jim Lusby said: “I’d like to thank staff for their hard work in ensuring we continued to deliver care for patients visiting our A&Es over the Christmas 24-hour period.

“We saw record levels of activity in our emergency departments and both hospitals were extremely busy.

“Demand for our services has continued to remain very high over the past week. I’d like to encourage people over the coming days to use our emergency departments wisely and to make sure they’re seeking the right NHS service appropriate for their healthcare needs.”