OVERWHELMED staff at Ilford's King George Hospital say they are being bombared by "incredibly abusive" members of the public demanding swine flu treatment.

Despite national warnings for people with suspected cases of the virus to stay away from hospitals and GP practices, many residents are turning up at the unit's accident and emergency department.

The news comes as the national death toll from swine flu hits 31, including a mum-of-seven from South Woodford.

However health bosses are urging the public to keep the disease in perspective - more than 3,000 people die of "ordinary" seasonal flu every year in Britain.

A spokeswoman for Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust said: “We understand that people are anxious about swine flu – particularly if they have children - and that emotions are running high.

“But we would ask people to keep it in perspective, and to follow the guidelines. The vast majority of people who contract swine flu will recover perfectly well without any treatment at all.

“If people do suspect that they or their children have swine flu, they should telephone their GP, and not come to hospital. If they arrive at a hospital, they will be asked to return home.”

She added: “We are following the same rules as every other hospital in the country. Unfortunately some people have become very abusive when this is explained to them. Members of our staff have even been left in tears.

“They are simply doing their job and trying to treat the appropriate patients in our very busy A and Es.”

National guidance for swine flu states that, if you suspect you have the H1N1 virus, you should: - Stay at home and call your GP, who will be able to provide a diagnosis over the phone.

- If swine flu is confirmed, ask a healthy friend or relative to visit your GP to pick up a document entitling you to antiviral medication.

- They will then need to pick the medication up at a collection point your GP will advise on, such as a local pharmacy.

- In the meantime, take paracetamol-based cold remedies to reduce fever and other symptoms, drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest.