NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is asking the public to stay away from A&E departments unless their condition is "very urgent or life-threatening", amid rising levels of Covid-19 in Scotland.
Front line services in the health board are facing "significant pressure", the health board says, with hospital occupancy currently at 90.6%.
A reported 457 in-patients have tested positive for covid in the last 28 days.
Dr Scott Davidson, Deputy Medical Director for Acute Services for NHSGGC, said: “Our staff are working around the clock to make sure we continue to see the sickest patients coming to our A&Es but we’re over capacity.
"Services, quite frankly, are busier than ever, creating a bottleneck at the front door, and as a result, patients unfortunately are having to wait long periods of time to be treated.”
Patients are being urged to take other pathways available to get treatment faster and to help support frontline teams by spreading demand through NHS inform, NHS24 and their GPs and pharmacists
“Unless it’s life-threatening or very urgent, do not come to A&E where you will likely wait many hours for treatment.," Dr Davidson added.
"Use your pharmacy, phone your GP or call 111 to access NHSGGC’s virtual A&E. You might still face a wait to use these services, but for most people, you’ll be seen much faster than if you come to A&E.”
“We’re in summer and our A&Es are comparable, if not busier than we’d normally expect during the winter months. The pressures run throughout the service, with beds unavailable for ongoing treatment within our hospitals as we manage many challenges.”
The senior clinician thanked staff across the service for their efforts in tackling the most recent challenges: “I am truly humbled by the ongoing efforts of our staff – they’re working incredibly hard in the face of these challenges.
"From care provided in the community – HCSPs, GPs, and pharmacists – through to all the staff across hospital and acute sites – everyone is having to manage different and new demands.
“It’s absolutely crucial for the public to help us now by really considering how they access urgent care. Do you need to come to A&E or could you be better served elsewhere?”
Visit the NHS Inform website: https://www.nhsinform.scot/ or call NHS24 on 111.
For very urgent or life-threatening emergencies, the public should continue calling 999 or attending A&E.
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