Plea issued as BGH emergency department faces 'significant pressure'

Health chiefs are urging people to only attend the Emergency Department at Borders General Hospital if they have a life-threatening illness or injury as the service comes under "significant pressure".

NHS Borders says the department is exceptionally busy today, with high numbers of patients attending and a number of people waiting to be admitted.

Patients who do need to go to the Emergency Department are being warned they may face longer waits to be seen.

For less serious health concerns, the health board is encouraging people to use alternative services, including community pharmacies, NHS Inform, or NHS 24 by calling 111.

It is also reminding people about the walk-in clinic at Hawick Community Hospital, which is open from midday until 8pm, Tuesday to Friday, for patients registered with GP practices in Hawick, Selkirk, Jedburgh and Newcastleton.

The pilot service treats new health problems that have started within the past two weeks, including infections, pain, stomach or urinary issues, skin conditions and flare-ups of existing conditions.

NHS Borders recently announced the clinic's opening hours had been extended and eligibility widened after almost 400 patients used the service during its first few months.

More than 91 per cent of patients rated their experience as "very good", with average waiting times of between 20 and 25 minutes.

The health board hopes the clinic will help reduce pressure on Borders General Hospital's Emergency Department by providing another option for people with urgent, but non-life-threatening, conditions.

Meanwhile, NHS Borders is also asking anyone with a relative or friend who is medically fit to leave hospital to help by collecting them or supporting their move to their next place of care, saying this will help free up beds for patients waiting to be admitted.

For more stories from the Scottish Borders and North Northumberland, bookmark our home page - https://hellorayo.co.uk/greatest-hits/borders/news/

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.