The decision to cancel non-urgent surgeries at the John Radcliffe Hospital has been extended following another busy weekend for staff.

Last week, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust announced it needed to postpone non-urgent procedures on Monday, 12, and Tuesday, 13.

After returning to normal on Wednesday, the trust on Thursday said it had taken the 'very difficult' decision to cancel operations through to and including today.

Paul Brennan, Director of Clinical Services at the trust, said: "Pressures on our health system continue to make it difficult for us to admit patients in a timely fashion.

"It has been another busy weekend. We are therefore extending the postponement of non-urgent adult operations due to take place at the John Radcliffe Hospital to include tomorrow, Tuesday, March 20, 2018.

Mr Brennan said this was not a decision 'taken lightly' and apologised to patients directly affected.

He added: "We know how disappointing this news will be to them. We will seek to rearrange operations as soon as we are able."

Outpatient and diagnostic appointments, urgent and cancer surgery will go ahead as planned.

Cancellations are restricted to the John Radcliffe Hospital and do not apply to the Churchill Hospital or Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre and day case activity can continue at the Horton General Hospital.

Mr Brennan blamed bed-blocking and an increase in seriously ill patients for the cancellations, saying: "Since January we have seen an increase in patients brought into our emergency departments by ambulance, as well as an increase in seriously ill patients and patients requiring admission.

"At any given time, we have 170 patients in our hospital beds who are medically fit to be discharged, but waiting for support in health and social care settings. All of this means that there has been very high pressure on our beds with very little spare capacity.

"We're working with partners in the local health and social care system to improve the provision of care at home for patients who are ready to leave the hospital."

Delays do not apply to the Churchill Hospital or Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre and day case activity will continue at the Horton General Hospital.