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Only hours after Theresa May left the building, Frimley Park Hospital posted information on social media reminding available staff to get in touch about working "extra shifts".

The Prime Minister visited the hospital on Thursday (January 4) where she apologised for nationwide operation and appointment delays and cancellations.

The drastic measure was announced on Wednesday (January 3) in the attempt to ease "winter pressure" on hospitals across the country.

Frimley Park Hospital previously said it was not affected by the announcement and the trust's spokesman told Get Surrey that asking available staff to work extra shifts is "expected after Christmas".

He added: "We have put a lot of plans in place which has made it a lot more manageable" which has "helped keep some of the pressure off."

A number of hospitals across the country have declared black OPEL4 (Operational Pressures Escalation Level 4) status meaning they are currently unable to deliver comprehensive care, which could increase the risk of compromising patient care and safety.

These include East Surrey Hospital in Redhill and Ashford and St Peter's hospitals.

Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Kingston Hospital confirmed they are experiencing extra winter strain meanwhile Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford is yet to reply to Get Surrey .

(Image: PA)

A Frimley Park Hospital spokesman said on Wednesday: "We are not currently cancelling non-emergency operations or outpatient clinics at Frimley Park Hospital.

"A message has been put on our website asking patients to attend their appointments as planned unless they hear directly from the trust.

"It has also been communicated via our social media sites, Facebook and Twitter.

"We are asking patients to attend their appointments as planned unless they hear directly from the trust.

"Should the need for any cancellation arise, we will contact individual patients direct."

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

However, Facebook and Twitter posts from the hospital's account indicate that it is unfortunately not completely free from pressure.

Only hours after Mrs May left the hospital, it stated on its Facebook page: "This is a message for our nursing and medical staff, including health care assistants.

"If you are available to do extra shifts this week or next please contact 01252 649061 as soon as possible with your availability.

"Nursing staff are also able to book shifts via Employee Online or their ward managers. Medical staff can also book via their rota co-ordinators.

"Everyone has been working hard to meet recent demands on services so we would like to thank all of you for your contribution."

A hospital spokesman told Get Surrey : "It is expected, the time following Christmas is often difficult.

"This time of year we do this kind of thing and we used social media because a lot of people have it.

"We wanted everyone to get the message."

He continued: "This year is not any different but we are not cancelling out patient appointments.

"The message to the public is to turn up to their appointments as normal and we will let them know if otherwise.

(Image: PA)

"We have put a lot of plans in place which has made it a lot more manageable.

"We are working closely with community and social services and GPs have set up hubs to be open for longer hours to help take some of the pressure off."

During her visit at the hospital, the Prime Minister spoke to staff and patients during her visit and commended their "fantastic work".

She told Get Surrey : "I wanted to come here, I wanted to hear directly from NHS staff about the pressure they are seeing over the winter period and particularly over the Christmas and New Year period.

"Frimley are doing some interesting innovations I think are a sign we can develop the NHS [like] the work they have done with GPs to ensure fewer elderly patients need to come into hospital.

"I have seen the huge dedication of NHS staff, the fact they have made sacrifices over the Christmas and New Year period, personal sacrifices to do what they believe in and what they do so fantastically well, which is caring for patients.

"It's a whole team effort and that is what I have seen here at Frimley Park."

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