The accident and emergency department at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary is seeing high volumes of people seeking treatment.
However, NHS Dumfries and Galloway has said that not all are emergencies and it is heaping pressure on the department which needs to prioritise those needing life-saving treatment.
Now, it is urging the public to could consider all options for treatment before turning up at the emergency department – such as contacting their GP or NHS24.
Dr Pete Armstrong, a consultant in A&E at DGRI, made an online video appeal at the weekend asking for people to consider if they really are a life-threatening emergency.
He said: “We are extremely busy at the best of times but recently it has been incredibly demanding treating a very large number of patients.
“If you are thinking of coming to the emergency department and haven’t spoken to anyone before attending, we want you to ask yourself one question – is it an emergency?”
He said that means anything that is life threatening – “an accident, or injury or illness that is a threat to your life and requires immediate attention”.
These include a heart attack, stroke or collapse, or a badly broken bone.
The consultant said that if in any doubt over it being life threatening then people should first phone their GP, speak to a pharmacist or call NHS24 on 111 before going to A&E.
They can help, or direct a patient to various healthcare sources or to the A&E or minor injuries units if necessary.
He said: “Coming straight here to A&E with something that is not life-threatening means a very long wait, only to be advised that this is not the place to receive treatment and you’ll be directed elsewhere.”
However, anyone who does need urgent medical treatment for something that is life-threatening, is advised to always attend their closest emergency department, in the first instance.
