Only turn up at A&E if your life is at stake

Borderers who do not have a life-threatening condition are being urged not to simply turn up at the Borders General Hospital’s emergency department expecting care.
The Borders General Hospital at Melrose.The Borders General Hospital at Melrose.
The Borders General Hospital at Melrose.

Instead, they are asked to call NHS24 on 111 to be assessed over the phone and pointed towards the appropriate treatment.

This could include self-care, GP practice or primary care, community pharmacy or referral into a flow centre at the Borders General Hospital for a clinical assessment.

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The changes, which were rolled out in the Borders on Tuesday, December 1, came about after a trial at NHS Ayrshire and Arran, and are designed to avoid crowding at the waiting area during surge periods, and to free up medical staff for treating those who are in dire need of care.

If you believe you do have a life-threatening condition, then you must still phone 999 or arrange to be taken to the emergency department as normal.

Dr Lynn McCallum, medical director at NHS Borders, said: “The way that people in the Borders access our emergency department has changed.

“Anyone who doesn’t have a life threatening condition, who would have normally turn up at our emergency department, should now call NHS 24 instead on 111, whether it is day or night.

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“NHS 24 will assess you over the phone and they will be able to signpost you to the most appropriate treatment.

“This means that we can keep you safe and also avoid you having to make any unnecessary trips to hospital.

“It also ensures that our specialists in the emergency department are available to treat people who require emergency medical care for life-threatening conditions.

“If the ED is deemed as the most appropriate place for you to come, you will be offered an appointment.

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“Despite these changes it is important that if you think you have a genuine life-threatening emergency you should still call 999 as you did before or come to the emergency department, where our team will be able provide you with emergency medical care.

“Please help us to keep you and our NHS safe by making the right call, at the right time, to access the right care for you and your family.”

Initially, a limited number of slots will be available for people with non-life-threatening conditions in the hospital, which will change as demand is assessed.

Further information can be found at www.gov.scot/policies/healthcare-standards/unscheduled-care/

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