Plea to patients as Borders General Hospital faces 'very challenging situation'
Last updated 10th Jul 2023
Health chiefs are pleading with the public NOT to attend the Emergency Department at Borders General Hospital without calling NHS 24 first - unless it's an immediately life-threatening emergency.
The local health board says "due to extreme pressures" the BGH is at capacity.
"Our beds are full and our Emergency Department is exceptionally busy, with a number of people requiring admission," a spokesperson for NHS Borders added.
"This is a very challenging situation and our staff are working exceptionally hard to care for patients."
Health chiefs are asking the public to help ease pressure by using their services wisely.
"Before you attend the Emergency Department please call NHS 24 on 111 first and they will signpost you to the right place to get the advice or care that you need," the statement continued.
"You may need to wait a while for your call to be answered or for a member of the team to call you back, but this can be done in the comfort of your own home.
"If you do need to be seen you may be given an appointment time to minimise the time you need to spend in the department. This also reduces pressure on our team."
But it adds: "If you think that your condition is immediately life threatening you should call 999."
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It's not the first time the health board has been forced to issue the plea this year, amid concerns over a shortage of beds.
Anyone with a loved one in hospital ready to be discharged is also being asked to help get them home.
"Please understand that we cannot always offer the preferred next place of care in the location that you would choose, and we may ask you to compromise," the health spokesperson said. "Working with us to accept this means that we can get the flow through our hospitals moving, and offer care to the maximum amount of people who need it."
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