THOSE attending the emergency department at Borders General Hospital (BGH) are being warned of “long waits”.

Over recent months NHS Borders has warned of the “significant pressure” its services are under.

And the health board is asking people to ensure that A&E is the “right place to receive the care you may need”.

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An NHS Borders spokesperson said: “People requiring treatment in the emergency department at the BGH are advised that there are currently long waits due to high levels of demand.

“Patients will be seen in order of clinical priority. Due to limited capacity in the waiting room if you accompany someone needing treatment you may be asked to return to your car. Please respect any requests from staff, who continue to work exceptionally hard to care for patients.

“Please consider carefully whether the emergency department is the right place to receive the care you may need.

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“Unless it is a life threatening emergency please phone 111. Your call will be answered and you can wait in the comfort of your own home until you are advised of the appropriate place to get the treatment or advice you may need.”

Last week it was announced that NHS Borders would receive support from military personnel, starting yesterday (October 19).

An NHS Borders spokesperson said that these personnel would help reduce waiting times at the emergency department.