People are being urged to avoid under-pressure accident and emergency departments unless necessary.
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust said medical teams were under huge pressure already and issued the plea at the start of the bank holiday weekend.
Sunderland Royal Hospital executive medical director Dr Shaz Wahid said it would prioritise those with life-threatening conditions and other people faced long waits.
Advice to patients is to consider using 111 first and local pharmacies instead.
One Health Group PLC (AQSE:OHGR) are a team of Consultant Surgeons and Healthcare managers working with the NHS to provide faster, local and expert care in Orthopaedics, Spinal, General Surgery and Gynaecology.