Don’t visit hospitals unless it’s for urgent care

Lanarkshire residents were this week being encouraged not to attend the county’s A&E departments unless they require “urgent and immediately necessary treatment”.

The call came as NHS Lanarkshire said hospitals were experiencing“peak activity” following the“extremely busy” Christmas and New Year period.

And the health board also asked anyone who has had flu symptoms or diarrhoea or vomiting not to visit hospital patients, to avoid passing it on.

Dr Iain Wallace, medical director, said on Tuesday:“there are many alternatives to A&E. This includes your local pharmacy and some GP practices. We would advise anyone who is feeling unwell to visit NHS Inform for advice on self-care or contact NHS 24 on 111 in the first instance. Do not attend A&E unless you have be advised to do so.

“Your local pharmacy can offer advice on a range of minor illnesses including cold, flu and stomach bugs. We also have a number of GP practices open across Lanarkshire today (Tuesday) so you should contact your local surgery to check if they can see you.

“It is also very important that if you have been unwell in the past 48 hours that you do not come into hospital to visit patients. Even if you are feeling better you could still pass on your illness to patients in the hospital.”