Public plea as hospital under 'extreme pressures'

The Borders General Hospital is said to be at capacity

A plea to the public has been issued to help relieve "extreme pressures" on health and care services in the Borders.

The Borders General Hospital is at capacity and its emergency department is "exceptionally busy".

NHS Borders has asked people to seek "the right care in the right place" and use the NHS Inform website and NHS 24 phoneline.

They have also been urged to help family members get home quickly if they are well enough to be discharged from hospital.

The health board outlined a string of options for the public to ensure they are getting the right care while easing pressure on services.

They include:

• Using the NHS Inform website for self-help guides on a wide range of ailments

• Attending community pharmacists for advice on common illnesses like impetigo, urinary tract infections, shingles and skin infections

• Calling NHS 24 on 111 before going to an emergency department

However, it stressed that anyone who thought their condition was immediately life-threatening should call 999.

Lynne Huckerby, interim director of acute services at NHS Borders, said: "We are currently facing extreme pressures across the health and social care system, particularly at Borders General Hospital.

"This is a challenging situation, and we are very grateful to our staff who are working tirelessly to ensure that we can continue to provide care and treatment to those who need us most."

However, she said the public could play its part in tackling the situation.

"Please make sure you are attending the right place to get the care that you need," she said.

"If you have loved ones who are ready to be discharged, please collect them as soon as you possibly can to help us maintain a steady flow of patients through the hospital."