Families are being asked to avoid A&E unless it is an emergency following Glasgow's Royal Hospital for Children's busiest week to date.
It comes after recent figures have shown a surge in attendance at the hospital with a vast amount of children being treated for non-urgent issues. Despite November, December and January typically being the busiest months of the year, last week saw a rapid increase of 25 per cent in this year's average.
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Last Monday (November 14) saw 306 children presented at the RHC, highlighting pressures the A&E department is facing at the moment.
Jamie Redfern, Director for Women and Children’s Services at NHSGGC, said: "A record number of 306 children presented at the RHC on Monday, 14 November which highlights the pressures the A&E department is facing.
"The figures show an increase in recent weeks and to try and accommodate this, we would ask parents to think if a visit to A&E is required or if the issue can be resolved in another way.
"Unless it is an emergency or life-threatening, there are a number of alternative services that should be accessed first including contacting your local pharmacy, GP, NHS 24, NHS inform or 111 before presenting at an emergency department.
"We also have access to emergency care consultations from the comfort of home through our virtual A&E service where parents can be given appointments for their children at our minor injuries units. This assists in reducing waiting times and queues at physical A&E.
"This not only benefits our staff and patients at the hospital but it can significantly reduce the waiting time for a child to be assessed."
Dr Scott Davidson, Deputy Medical Director for Acute Services at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, added: "Our staff are working around the clock to ensure the best level of care for our patients.
"Parents and children have access to a range of alternative services that can help reduce the waiting times for the sickest of patients and free up capacity.
"However, we would still like to stress that any child with a very urgent or life-threatening condition or injury should continue to call 999 or attend an emergency department as normal."
Further information on children’s health or accident and injuries can be found on the RHC website.
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