The trust said it remained ‘extremely busy', however, with many patients with norovirus symptoms and is at ‘critical incident standby' status.

Sarah Hayes, chief nursing and midwifery officer, said: ‘Our staff and partners have worked exceptionally hard to improve the situation at Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital, but the hospital is still exceptionally busy.

‘The support of local people has made a real difference. We have seen the positive impact of people choosing the right services for their needs and using alternative health services such as NHS 111, GPs, pharmacies and urgent treatment centres where appropriate.'

The trust was one of six to declare critical incidents last week as a result of a spike in flu and norovirus cases.

Four trusts - Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust and Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH), with Sherwood Forest Hospitals – stood down their critical incidents on15 and 16 January.