People are being urged only to visit Dumfries and Galloway’s accident and emergency departments if they have a “life-threatening illness or injury”.
Health officials are warning that departments in Dumfries and Stranraer are “likely” to remain busy for some time and are advising people to seek help from other sources, such as NHS Inform, pharmacies and GPs.
The plea comes after it emerged the A&E department at DGRI was regularly operating “beyond capacity”.
In a video shared to the NHS Dumfries and Galloway Facebook page, director of public health Valerie White said: “Our hospital emergency departments in Dumfries and Stranraer are busy and are likely to remain so, so it’s important that you only go there if you have a life-threatening illness or injury.
“But there are many places you can go to for medical help and advice and don’t forget you can treat many common winter illnesses yourself.
“The NHS Inform website at https://nhsinform.scot/ has got lots and lots of really helpful advice.
“You can also go and visit your local pharmacy who are able to provide medicines and advice for most common illnesses.
“You can call 111 to reach the NHS 24 helpline at any hour of the day or night and of course there is your local GP practice for advice from one of their team too.”
Over the festive period, a ban on all but essential visits to DGRI was introduced in a bid to stem the number of flu cases.
Mrs White said: “If you have a friend or relative in hospital, please take care when visiting them.
“If you have symptoms of illness yourself such as a sore throat, a cough or a high temp you could pass on an infection to someone who’s already unwell so please don’t visit until you’re feeling better.
“When flu or other illnesses are particularly widespread we may risk hospital visiting to reduce the risk of infecting vulnerable patients.
“We only do this when it’s absolutely necessary so please respect this.
“We’ll reopen for visitors as soon as it’s safe to do so.”
Other advice includes getting vaccinated against flu, covid or RSV if eligible, with more information available at nhsdg.co.uk/vaccines and 01387 405090.
Keeping warm and dry is a good way of avoiding illness but is difficult due to high heating bills, with help available at http://costofliving.dumgal.gov.uk or by calling Citizens Advice on 0300 303 4321.