Accident-prone Maldon residents are being urged to make more use of a local health clinic rather than face a trek and a wait at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford.
The accident and emergency department at Broomfield has seen a 19 per cent increase in patients during 2003/04.
In April, the numbers were seven per cent up on the previous April.
The increase has prompted health chiefs to ask Maldon district residents to use the minor injuries unit at Maldon's St Peter's Hospital instead.
It is predicted about 50 people a day from the Maldon and South Chelmsford Primary Care Trust (PCT) area are visiting A&E.
PCT chief executive Mike Harrison believes the majority of these could use the minor injuries unit instead.
Mr Harrison said: "The whole point of opening the minor injuries unit was to provide local people with an easier option than having to travel to Broomfield.
"By utilising the unit, people will not only be saving themselves a journey to Broomfield but they will help alleviate pressure on the A&E department."
Contact the minor injuries unit on 01621 727374.
Published Monday May 31, 2004
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