The Surrey hospital’s emergency department is currently “under significant pressure” the Chief Medical Officer has said

St Peter’s Hospital, Chertsey(Image: Surrey Advertiser)

Ashford & St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust is asking the public to use healthcare services “appropriately” this week while its Emergency Department faces a “very high number of patients”.

The NHS Trust made a statement on social media which warned that the Emergency Department (ED) in Chertsey was “very busy”. Saying in the post: “Please make sure you are using the right service for your needs”.

The Trust’s primary 24-hour ED can be found in St Peter’s Hospital on Guildford Road.

Ashford Hospital is based in Stanwell and does not have an ED, instead it has an Urgent Treatment Centre, patients attend here for non-life-threatening medical problems that are too urgent for a GP appointment.

Earlier this month, a neighbouring NHS Trust in Royal Surrey issued a similar warning to the public where they shared that on Monday, October 5, 2026 the Trust recorded its highest number of ED attendees with almost 350 people needing care at once.

In a statement to Surrey Live on Friday (October 16), the Ashford & St Peter’s NHS Trust’s Chief Medical Officer asked the community which it serves to do their part by “using NHS services appropriately”.

More information on this can be found here.

In short, people should ensure they are attending the right service for the specific needs they are facing. Ranging from GPs, to pharmacists and mental health services, alongside Urgent Treatment Centres and Emergency Departments.

Dr Mark Roland, Chief Medical Officer of Ashford & St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust said on Friday morning (October 16): “Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals are currently seeing a very high number of people attending the Emergency Department (ED) for emergency care.

“Our colleagues are working hard to ensure people receive the care they need, prioritising our most unwell patients.

“With our Emergency Department under significant pressure, we are asking our local community to help by using NHS services appropriately.

“Using the most appropriate option can help you be seen more quickly and ensures others get the care they need during this busy time.”