PEOPLE attending A&E in the Borders may be told to wait in the car amid “severe pressure” on services.

The emergency department at the BGH is “exceptionally busy”, according to an NHS Borders spokesperson, with many having to wait for long periods before being seen.

COVID-19 patients are also having to be cared for in separate wards, meaning there are fewer beds for others, the spokesperson added.

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Gareth Clinkscale, director of acute services at NHS Borders, said: “We recognise that there has been unprecedented demand for healthcare services which unfortunately has meant that many patients have had to wait longer than we would have wished.

“Our teams clinically prioritise patients so that those sickest are seen first. We know that some people have not been seeking the help they need based on their symptoms for a variety of reasons.

“People are therefore arriving at our ED more deconditioned than they were before the pandemic. This means that we are seeing increased length of stays in hospital. This can quickly affect our bed capacity which can result in some people waiting longer to be admitted.

“Whilst we want to see everyone who needs us as soon as possible, we unfortunately cannot see everyone at once. This is why it is really important that you seek the right care in the right place. This is not only quicker for you but it also makes sure that our specialists are available to treat those most in need.

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“We must also recognise that our staff are human too – there is only so much that we can do at once which is why things can take time. Our staff have been under exceptional pressure for over 18 months now and continue to face significant challenges. Despite this, they still deliver the most timely and best quality care that they can.

“I would like to take this opportunity to again thank all of our staff and colleagues across health and social care. You have shown the utmost commitment and compassion for a prolonged time and still deliver the best quality of care possible to those who need you the most.”

NHS Borders is urging people to help ease the pressure by seeking “the right care in the right place”.

If you have an urgent health problem that is not life threatening – such as suspected broken limbs or minor head injuries – contact NHS 24 on 111.

The health board is also asking people to be ready to pick up their loved ones from hospital once they have been discharged to free up beds.