Darent Valley Hospital faced "unprecedented demand" yesterday with a patient attending the emergency centre for a mild nosebleed.

The hospital is urging patients to use alternative services unless they are in a serious condition after patients took up NHS time with constipation, a bad knee, and a mild nose bleed yesterday.

A spokesman for the hospital said: "Please can we remind people that if you, or your family members, have a condition that is not a serious emergency, please do NOT attend A&E."

Earlier this year the A&E had another soar in the number of patients which sparked a reminder to use other services such as walk-in centres and minor injury units.

Darent Valley had the NHS’s second highest pressure rating over winter last year, an OPEL 3 alert that showed major pressures compromising patient flow.

The hospital is classed as a “small hospital” because it has under 500 beds, with a total of 473.

A spokesman said patients who attend the hospital without a life threatening condition should be prepared to wait a long time to be seen.

There are walk in centres in Gravesend and Medway and a minor injury unit in Gravesham.

Patients have been reminded that a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home can deal with minor injuries.