THE Mid and South Essex Hospitals Trust, which runs Basildon & Thurrock Hospital and Orsett Hospital has confirmed it is now admitting more patients with coronavirus than it did in the first wave earlier this year.

As a consequence it has been confirmed that all non-urgent hospital procedures have been stopped.

A statement from the trust says: "The number of COVID-19 cases being admitted to our hospitals has now increased markedly, putting severe pressure on Emergency Departments, medical teams and Intensive Care. We're seeing many more cases than in wave 1.

"We're now at the stage where we are having to pause all planned non-urgent activity - so we can cope with increased pressure and keep our hospitals safe. We will continue to treat cancer patients.

"We'll also continue to work closely with our partners in community healthcare and social care, to ensure that all patients are being seen in the right place at the right time.

"During this busy period, we're encouraging all our staff to make use of the range of resources available to support their overall health and wellbeing. And reminding one another of the importance of getting some rest over the Christmas holiday period."

Meanwhile, there has been a little cheer for staff the he trust's hospitals. Staff across the Trust were able to celebrate Christmas a little earlier thanks to a one-of-a-kind staff prize draw.

The Mid and South Essex Hospitals Charity donated 874 prizes, as part of a Trust-wide Christmas giveaway, using some of the money gifted to the charity from Captain Tom Moore's fundraising effort.

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On offer were TVs, kitchen appliances, games consoles, Android tablets, Fitbits, smart speakers and bottles of Jo Malone cologne. Colleagues were automatically entered into the prize draw, with the winners being randomly selected and contacted to collect their prize presented by senior members of staff.