ALL three of Oxfordshire’s main hospitals are full this weekend.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust has urged people to stay away from the John Radcliffe and Churchill hospitals in Oxford, and the Horton Hospital in Banbury, if at all possible.

As of today all 1,200 beds in these three hospitals are taken.

Trust spokesman Alison Barnes said: “The public is being urged to choose the right treatment at the right time to help manage increased demand for hospital beds following the Christmas holiday period.

“The John Radcliffe, Horton and Churchill hospitals have seen an increase in the number of acutely ill patients, with more admissions due to winter related health problems such as respiratory illnesses, flu and pneumonia.

“We anticipate a difficult weekend, but staff are working hard to ensure that emergency patients who need an acute hospital bed are still admitted promptly.”

Ms Barnes suggested that patients visit their GPs or local pharmacies instead, or contact the NHS advice line on 111.

This is the second time over the winter period that these hospitals have struggled to meet demand, with the Oxford Mail revealing in December that 90 extra beds had been made available to keep up with demand.