It's business more or less as usual at The Wilson Practice in Alton following a Christmas and new year fortnight during which it offered only urgent medical care.

A statement issued on Wednesday said: “We are back online with e-consults and are operating our usual service.

“Should this change, we will update the website and Facebook pages accordingly.

“The whole service, not just primary care, is under immense pressure, hence the need to adapt our service in line with local and national demand and recommendations.

“We are here for everyone, but we are only seeing patients after we have spoken to them on the telephone or via e-consult.”

These methods of contacting a GP are available from 8am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday.

If a phone or internet consultation results in a doctor advising that a patient must be examined in person, they or reception will arrange an appointment.

The statement added: “These new arrangements are in response to the evolving situation, and based on guidance from Public Health England and with the support of our local commissioners.

“With our patients’ support we hope to deliver the safest possible service during this turbulent period.

“We remain committed to the health and well-being of our population and thank everyone for their support.”

Chawton Park Surgery in Alton has been advising patients with “routine” issues to contact it via e-consult since December 21.

In a statement, it said: “This is due to extreme demands from winter pressures, concerns about Strep A and the ambulance service strikes.

“We are doing our best to ensure patients who need to be seen on the same day can be.”

Last Friday the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board declared the pressure on NHS services in the two counties a “critical incident”.

This was because of a rising number of flu patients and nearly all hospital beds in the area being full.