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Hospital emergency department 'exceptionally busy'

News imageGetty Images Borders General Hospital - a brick building with an ambulance parked outsideGetty Images
There are long waits for admission at the emergency department

A health board has warned its services are facing "significant pressure" and urged the public to help tackle the situation.

NHS Borders said the emergency department at the Borders General Hospital near Melrose was "exceptionally busy" with long waits for admission.

It has asked the public to attend the department only if it is a life-threatening emergency.

Any minor injury or urgent problem which is not life-threatening should be taken to NHS Inform, community pharmacies for minor illnesses or a GP.

An NHS Borders spokesperson said: "NHS 24 on 111 will signpost you to the right place to get the advice or care that you need.

"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 emergency department.

"This also reduces pressure on our team."

Reporting by local democracy journalist Paul Kelly