The NHS Trust that runs Broomfield Hospital has put out an emergency plea to staff to abandon their holiday and return to work as Covid admissions spiral.

The Mid and South Essex Hospitals Trust, which runs Broomfield, Southend and Basildon hospitals has sent an urgent request to staff not at work, asking doctors and nurses on annual leave to return, due to an "increasingly difficult situation" that the hospitals are now facing.

In an internal memo sent to staff, Chief Nursing Officer Diane Sarkar and Chief Medical Officer David Walker asked staff if they would consider giving up their booked annual leave and return to work due to the increasing demand on hospital services.

The memo continues: "We know that your leave is important, and this is not a request we are making lightly, but if you are able to come into work to support your colleagues and care for the patients who need us we would be extremely grateful."

The plea by hospital bosses reflects news from NHS England which has confirmed that there are now more Covid patients in hospitals in England than at the previous peak in April.