A&E gets busier at Blackpool Victoria Hospital - but medics still fear too many patients are avoiding NHS

It reflects the trend seen across England, with the British Medical Association calling it "incredibly worrying" that patients have not been using the NHS as much as usual.

This was an increase of 31 per cent on April, but still 50 per cent below the same month last year.

NHS Trusts across England dealt with 1.3m A&E attendances in May, up from 917,000 in April – making them the two quietest months since such records began in 2010.

However, last month's total was still 42 per cent below May 2019, which NHS England said was likely to be a result of the Covid-19 response.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine said the reduction had helped ease overcrowding, but said patients should not be afraid to get care.

Dr Katherine Henderson, president of the organisation, said: "Emergency Departments are safe and if you are injured or seriously ill you should go right away.

“If patients have an issue but only have mild non-urgent symptoms it is important to seek help from the right source. Pharmacists, NHS 111 and GPs are all there to provide care.

“By choosing the right service patients can get the help they need while keeping the NHS safe and reducing the risk of further spread of coronavirus."

The NHS figures show emergency admissions at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals followed a similar pattern as A&E attendances, rising from 2,076 in April to 2,437 in May. In May 2019, there were 3,264 emergency admissions.

Dr Simon Walsh, British Medical Association emergency medicine lead, said: “It’s incredibly worrying to see that patients haven’t been using the NHS as much as expected during the Covid-19 pandemic, and even though we’re currently battling a virus, it’s important that anyone who still needs our help, knows they can get it.

“Putting off seeing the GP or going to A&E for emergency care at this time can not only cause a backlog in the NHS once people feel more comfortable about seeking help, but can also, and most concerningly, potentially damage patients’ health, especially those with chronic conditions.

“We appreciate the public being so considerate at this time and really thinking about whether they need to use the NHS, but our principles have not changed: we will be there for anyone who needs us, pandemic or no pandemic.”