MORE patients visited A&E at the Shropshire Community Trust (Shropcom) last month, with demand rising above the levels seen in March last year.

NHS England figures show 1,890 patients visited A&E at Shropcom in March.

That was a rise of 44 per cent on the 1,311 visits recorded during February, and nine per cent more than the 1,730 patients seen in March the previous year.

All of last month's attendances were via minor A&E departments – those which treat minor injuries and illnesses such as fractures, cuts and bruises.

Across England, A&E departments received 1.7 million visits last month.

That was an increase of 32 per cent compared to February, and 10 per cent more than the 1.5 million seen during March 2020.