Oxford University Hospitals Trust is advising people to use A&E in the event of a “life threatening emergency”.

Arriving with a different condition or injury may result in a “very long wait” while priority is given to patients in need of critical care.

OUH said to call 111 “if you need clinical advice but are not in a life-threatening emergency”.

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The trust added: “Pharmacies provide advice on minor illnesses and conditions, and advice on how to manage your medications.

“Some community pharmacies and all GP surgeries will be closed over the bank holidays, so patients are being encouraged to order their repeat prescriptions as quickly as possible.”

It added: “If you need prompt advice or treatment for minor injuries, a Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) could help you.

“You can get treatment at an MIU for deep cuts, eye injuries, broken bones, severe sprains, minor head injuries, minor burns or scalds, minor sports injuries.”

Oxfordshire MIUs are located at Abingdon Community Hospital, Townlands Memorial Hospital in Henley and Witney Community Hospital.

“Self-care is the best choice to treat very minor illnesses and injuries,” OUH said. “A range of common illnesses and injuries can be treated at home simply by combining a well-stocked medicine cabinet with plenty of rest.”

The service has confirmed that it is also advising the Metropolitan Police amid its probe into Lord Peter Mandelson’s links to the paedophile financier.

The former duke of York and Lord Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to the US, were arrested last month on suspicion of misconduct in public office over their connections with Epstein.

They have since been released under investigation.

Today, Wednesday, April 1, a CPS spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we are now providing early investigative advice to the Metropolitan Police Service regarding the force’s investigation into a 72-year-old man and will continue to liaise as requested.

“We can now also confirm that we are providing early investigative advice to Thames Valley Police in relation to a 66-year-old man.

“We remain ready to support any investigation if needed.”

This comes after it was confirmed the King’s state visit to the US to see Donald Trump is to go ahead next month as planned.

Charles and the Queen’s long-expected historic trip will take place in late April despite calls for it to be postponed or even cancelled because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

It is understood that Charles and Camilla will not be able to meet with victims while there are ongoing UK police investigations into matters related to Epstein.

US congressman Ro Khanna wrote to the King on Monday to call for him to meet survivors privately during the state visit.

In a statement to BBC Newsnight on Tuesday evening, the family of Virginia Giuffre also “strongly” urged the King to meet with them, as well as survivors of the paedophile financier.

But at a press conference on Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer declined to say whether there was a “moral case” for the King to meet the victims when asked by reporters.

The Prime Minister instead insisted the “focus of the visit” will be on the 250th anniversary of American independence.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) also announced on Tuesday, March 31, that the police response to the release of the so-called Epstein files by the US Department of Justice is to be “stepped up”.

A dedicated group will look at the “scale, scope and nature of any potential UK-based VAWG (violence against women and girls) offending within the files”, the NPCC added.

It has also invited alleged victims of Epstein who have spoken to UK media to talk to investigators about potential crimes that may have taken place on British soil.

With so many brands using the opportunity to market themselves or their products, it’s almost impossible not to see some form of these jokes – at least on social media, anyway.

Some of these are far easier to spot than others, and some do go the extra mile in creating the most outlandish story possible.

While these sorts of campaigns are often from supermarkets, restaurants and food producers, some others get in on the act too.

Here are some of the best jokes/hoaxes we’ve seen from April Fool’s Day 2026.

The best April Fools’ Day jokes from 2026

Asda’s adult-sized trolley seats

Asda shared its new concept for April Fool’s Day, revamping its trolleys to include adult-sized seats.

The new trolley design features a built-in armchair with a cup holder for those wanting to put their feet up while shopping.

A spokesperson for Asda said: “We’re always listening to feedback around what would make our customers’ lives easier and we’ve heard countless stories of different shopping styles causing chaos in the aisles – from list-followers racing through aisle by aisle, to ad-hoc shoppers drifting from bakery to frozen foods.

“It’s these familiar moments that inspired our adult trolley seat – a comfy, safe spot for co-shoppers, allowing the main shopper to navigate the weekly shop however they please.” 

The trolleys are currently in the planning stages, with a nationwide rollout across Asda stores expected by December 2026, just in time for the big Christmas shop.

Subway’s new product for marathon runners

Thinking ahead to the London Marathon, Subway has created a limited-edition range of nutrient-packed energy gels that taste just like its sauces.

They have been designed with endurance athletes in mind, offering compact, easy-to-consume boosts “made for runners who don’t want to leave flavour at the starting line”.

The flavours are Chipotle Southwest, Sweet Onion and Honey Mustard.

A Subway spokesperson said: “The rise of running culture within the fitness category has been rapid, and we’re always looking to meet our guests where they are.

“We wanted to introduce a fresh new way to fuel our customers as a part of a balanced active lifestyle.” 

Dyson launches new pet beauty range

Dyson says it plans to introduce its “boldest beauty category launch” with a styling range designed for pets as well as humans.

It includes the Airwrap Fur for “perfectly sculpted whisker-adjacent waves” and the Supersonic Dapper for “dialling up the volume on poodle curls”.

A Dyson Beauty spokesperson said: “We believe everyone deserves to look and feel their best.

“And for this launch, we decided to take it up a notch and think about man’s best friend.”

Heinz introduces matcha mayo

Plenty of brands get involved with April Fool’s Day to ‘launch’ brand-new food items, and Heinz has joined in for 2026.

It has teamed up with PerfectTed to create Matcha Mayo, which combines the creaminess of mayonnaise with the “earthy, vibrant flavour of matcha”.

Aditi Hilgers, Taste Elevation and Masterbrand Director at Kraft Heinz said: “We love creating products that surprise and delight our fans – especially when they tap into huge viral trends like matcha, so this one was hard to resist. Heinz X Perfect Ted Matcha Mayo takes the iconic creaminess you live for and gives it a sophisticated, matcha kick.

“It’s daring, it’s delicious, it’s the accompaniment to your sandwich you didn’t know you needed and we can’t wait for you to get a taste this April.”

Tinned Hawaiian Pizza

The fresh produce brand Dole did its bit for April Fool’s Day by launching Tinned Hawaiian Pizza.

Said to be available in select stores from April 1 and only while stocks last, the new product includes a deep-dish dough base, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, succulent ham, topped with pineapple.

Tao Baidoun, Brand Manager at Dole, said: “Research showed that the most common use of our tinned pineapple in the UK is for making homemade Hawaiian pizzas.

“Since we’re all about making life easier when it comes to fruit, we thought why not simplify things even further and create the full experience in one tin?”

The best of the rest

Plenty of other companies got involved with the April Fool’s Day tradition, such as with pizza chain Fatto a Mano introducing a “dough-less pizza” served without a base and featuring only the crust and toppings.

Meanwhile, Aldi launched its own law firm, called LEGALDI, offering “justice” to shoppers who’ve faced an “Aldi-dent” that wasn’t their fault.

Announced via the supermarket’s social channels this morning (Wednesday, April 1), the post simply reads: “Call free now on 0800 292 2535. LEGALDI. BREAD. MILK. JUSTICE.”

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Hobbycraft took Easter crafting to “dazzling new heights” with its one-of-a-kind, diamond-encrusted fillable egg, which they claim is worth £1.4 million.

Pot Noodle and Domino’s teamed up to introduce the Pot Noodle Stuffed Crust Pizza onto the market, which fuses a chicken and mushroom pizza with the famous snack.

Condiments company Dr. Will’s and Gü’s desserts also joined forces to supposedly launch Sriracha Chocolate Melting Middle Puddings.

What’s the best April Fool’s Day joke you’ve seen this year? Let us know in the comments.