A Scottish hospital has warned it is facing “extreme pressures” amid a plea for public support in a situation branded as an “impossible task” for staff to fix. The emergency alert for Borders General Hospital was issued on Friday, with a statement saying all beds were full and the emergency department was “exceptionally busy”. Lynne Huckerby, NHS Borders interim director of acute services, called on the public to play its part in reducing pressures.
The plea was described as “deeply concerning”, coming months out from the peak winter ‘flu’ season. Ms Huckerby said: “We are currently facing extreme pressures 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, we also need your help to do this. Please make sure you are attending the right place to get the care that you need, and if you have loved ones who are ready to be discharged, please collect them as soon as you possibly can to to help us maintain a steady flow of patients through the hospital.” A statement issued on behalf of the NHS health board pointed towards self-help guides for potential patients.
The board has suggested community pharmacists could provide expert advice and treatment for illnesses and ailments including urinary tract infections, shingles and skin infections. It comes after the hospital was forced to issue .