HOSPITAL chiefs are pleading with any staff who can make it in to come to Winchester's Hospital to help ease the pressure caused by the snow.

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) put the rallying cry out on Twitter this morning to give some relief to nurses and doctors who have been working through the night to save lives.

HHFT runs the Royal Hampshire County Hospital (RHCH) in Winchester, as well as Andover and Basingstoke's hospitals.

A spokesman for the trust said: "We really need to relieve nursing and healthcare staff who worked through the night at RHCH last night.

"Any off-duty staff, particularly nurses, who can safely reach RHCH are asked to come in and help if at all possible."

It comes as the extreme weather conditions continue to cause chaos around Hampshire. A number of roads have been affected by the snow, meaning staff are struggling to get to and from the hospital.

One of those roads is the A272, which has been closed in both directions between Winchester and Cheriton.

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the RHCH, is postponing some non-urgent appointments.

It said: "Due to the current weather conditions, we have taken the decision to postpone some non-urgent outpatient appointments and procedures to prevent the need for people to travel to our hospitals unless it essential.

"If your appointment is going to be postponed, you will be contacted by the Trust. Otherwise, please attend as planned if it is safe for you to do so. If you are unable to attend your appointment, please let us know using the contact details on your appointment letter."