NHS Borders has warned that the emergency department at the Borders General Hospital near Melrose is under "significant pressure" after it became "exceptionally busy". The health board said it is facing "high attendances and a number of people waiting to be admitted" and urged people to attend only for "life-threatening emergencies".
Patients may have to wait longer than usual to be seen, the health board said. It also advised people with other health concerns to seek "the right care in the right place" and pointed them towards NHS Inform self-help guides, community pharmacies or NHS 24.
What other services are available?
NHS Borders said there is also a walk-in clinic at Hawick Community Hospital for patients registered with the town's Teviot and Mairches practices or Selkirk Medical Practice.
How can families help?
The health board said families can help if a relative is fit to be discharged from hospital by being available to collect them or support their move to their next place of care. It said this would help get "the flow through our hospitals moving and offer care to the maximum amount of people who need it".
"If your family member is fit to be discharged from hospital, you can help by being available to collect them or support their move to their next place of care," the health board added.
"This helps us get the flow through our hospitals moving and offer care to the maximum amount of people who need it. "Thank you for your understanding and co-operation."
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Health board renews emergency department plea
