The Southern Trust has advised people that both emergency departments at Daisy Hill and Craigavon Area Hospitals are “extremely busy”.
The Trust say they are expected to remain busy for the rest of the week.
In a post on social media, the Trust, said: “Both of our Emergency Departments (Craigavon & Daisy Hill Hospitals) are extremely busy today and are expected to remain very busy this week.
“If it is not an emergency please don’t come to ED. Alternatives include GPs, your local pharmacist and Minor Injuries Unit in Dungannon.”
Earlier this year a team of emergency nurse practitioners was put in place to help treat patients with minor injuries who arrive at Craigavon and Daisy Hill Emergency Departments.
Speaking at the time, Paul Smith, Lead Nurse for Medicine and Unscheduled Care for the Southern Trust, explained: “With around 80,000 attendances at Craigavon and 50,000 at Daisy Hill each year, our Emergency Departments are extremely busy.
“We work hard to ensure every patient is treated as quickly and safely as possible but are always looking for ways to improve our services and the overall experience for patients.
“We always remind people that you should only attend the Emergency Department with urgent or life threatening symptoms and encourage anyone who can travel, to go to South Tyrone Hospital to use the Minor Injuries Unit, where they will be treated much more quickly for minor conditions.
“However, the development of the emergency nurse practitioner service at Craigavon and Daisy Hill Emergency Departments means that those patients who do attend with minor injuries can still be treated quickly, freeing up the medical team to prioritise those with more serious clinical conditions.”
