The scale of the NHS 'crisis' in County Durham and Teesside has been captured, with lines of ambulances carrying patients forced to wait outside A&E departments in the region. 

In the images, droves of ambulances are parked up outside the North Tees Hospital in Stockton, with the A&E department already at capacity. 

The pictures come after NHS trusts across the North East and North Yorkshire were close to declaring critical incidents as health bosses across the region warned of pressures across A&E, urgent care, and ambulance services.

Read more: Middlesbrough family pay tribute to ‘much-loved’ son who died in crash

The North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust said they were seeing "large numbers of patients attending our hospitals due to winter pressures" and they had avoided declaring a critical incident thanks to 'committed staff and robust systems'.

A spokesperson for North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust said: “We’re currently seeing large numbers of patients attending our hospitals due to winter pressures. This includes patients with flu and COVID-19. Thanks to our committed staff and robust systems we have avoided declaring a critical incident and admitted all patients as quickly as is possible.

The Northern Echo: Queues of ambulances outside North Tees Hospital in Stockton. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTQueues of ambulances outside North Tees Hospital in Stockton. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

“You can support keeping yourself, your family and our hospitals safe by taking up your seasonal immunisations, visiting your local pharmacy for help with common ailments and avoiding the spread of flu.

“Make sure you are stocked up on over-the-counter medication, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and cough medicine. And if you begin to feel unwell with flu-like symptoms, stay home, get plenty of rest, take medication and drink plenty of water.”

The Northern Echo: NHS services across the North East and North Yorkshire have been close to calling an urgent emergency. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTNHS services across the North East and North Yorkshire have been close to calling an urgent emergency. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

The message to patients in the North East and North Cumbria remains to only call 999 or visit A&E if their condition is a threat to life or limb.

Patients can expect long waits as services focus attention on the most urgent cases. 

Dr Neil O'Brien, executive medical director for the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “In common with the health and care system across the country, our A&E and ambulance services are under huge pressure. 

The Northern Echo: An ambulance with its blue lights on. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTAn ambulance with its blue lights on. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

“The risk of serious illness and hospitalisation from catching flu is very real. Hospitals and critical care units across our region are currently seeing a worrying number of patients being admitted due to the flu virus,

“It's not too late to have your flu jab and doing so will protect against severe illness and hospitalisation.”