Health service chiefs are urging people to “consider all the options” before going to an accident and emergency department.
NHS staff are under intense pressure due to high levels of hospital admissions at Dumfries Infirmary over the winter.
And that has prompted a plea to try and reduce the number of people turning up at A&E units.
A spokesman for the Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership said: “DGRI is currently experiencing high levels of admissions.
“It would be greatly appreciated if members of the public could consider all options for treatment before attending the emergency department, including the use of NHS24, your local GP and pharmacy.
“However, if you require urgent medical treatment, you should always attend your closest emergency department, in the first instance.”
The plea came as Public Health Scotland figures revealed 660 patients attended DGRI in the week to December 18 with 214 patients, 32 per cent, waiting longer than Holyrood’s four hour target for being admitted, transferred or discharged.
South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth said: “Despite the incredible work of staff, the lack of resources means more and more patients are having to wait longer in our accident and emergency departments and we haven’t even hit the peak winter period yet.
“Everyone knows our NHS is at breaking point but the Health Secretary Humza Yousef doesn’t have any answers. It’s hard to see how he can continue in post.
“We need an urgent change of plan from Scottish Government before more lives are put at risk.”
Mr Yousaf said the figures were for one of the coldest periods in years and added that flu admissions were at their highest for five years with Strep A and Covid-19 also adding to the pressure on the service.
He added: “Delayed discharge continues to have a major impact in driving up A&E waits and we are working with health boards to ensure people leave hospital without delay, freeing up vital beds for those who need them most.
“Our £600 million winter plan will see us recruit 1,000 new NHS staff and our £50 million urgent and unscheduled care collaborative looks to drive down A&E waits.”
An NHS Dumfries and Galloway spokesman told the Standard emergency departments were under “immense pressure” across the country.
He said: “These pressures have only increased since the week of December 18 – not just within emergency departments but across our systems as a whole – but Dumfries and Galloway’s performance still remains one of the best in Scotland.
“We would always ask people to consider if they have a genuine emergency, but always to attend if they believe that they do. Our conscientious and committed staff work hard to ensure that people’s needs are met as quickly as possible.”
