ALL routine surgery and appointments at Musgrove Park Hospital have been cancelled today and tomorrow due to severe weather.

A red warning is currently in place for wind and snow for parts of the South West as the Beast from the East has seen the mercury plummet to -4 degrees Celsius in Taunton.

Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has issued advice to patients as people are being warned to only travel if it’s absolutely necessary.

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A spokesman for Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton has said: “With the Met Office issuing ‘Red’ weather warning for wind and heavy snow for much of Somerset from 3pm today, we have taken the decision to cancel all routine surgery and appointments today and tomorrow (Thursday and Friday March 1-2).

"Please assume your procedure or outpatient appointment is not going ahead today or tomorrow unless we contact you, although even in these cases we’d suggest you only travel to hospital if it is safe to do so."

“Our staff, as ever, have gone above and beyond what could be expected in making sure we continue to run safe healthcare at Musgrove and we want to thank everyone for their tremendous effort.

“We also want to repeat our message to people to keep warm and well and only travel if it’s absolutely necessary. Please remember to think about your friends and neighbours who may be in need of support during these difficult weather conditions.”