HOSPITAL bosses are once again urging residents to only go to the A&E at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary if their condition is serious or life-threatening.
The accident and emergency department claims that it is experiencing another surge in demand on its services and struggling to cope with the volume of patients.
The Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the borough's hospital, is warning that anyone going to A&E for non-emergency treatment could face the prospect of waiting more than four hours before being seen by a doctor.
Mary Fleming, director of operations for the trust said: “Unnecessary attendances are preventing our doctors and nurses from treating those patients who need urgent care and it is putting a huge strain on the hospital as a whole.
“Our message is simple – if you have a serious urgent medical emergency, go to A&E or dial 999.
“For everything else please seek out the most appropriate healthcare provider such as a GP or pharmacist.”
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