Health bosses in the city are urging people to attend a virtual A&E instead of physically showing up.

They advise people suffering from strains and sprains to first speak to their GP or call NHS24 on 111 to speak to NHSGGC’s virtual A&E team.

The health board recorded 158 physical A&E strains and sprain patients over the course of a week and say all of them could have been faster through its virtual service.

On average, these people waited around two hours in a busy waiting room, with one patient waiting upwards of five hours as higher priority cases took precedence.

Also known as the Flow Navigation Centre, the virtual A&E service sees and treats more than 1,500 patients every month through emergency video and telephone consultations.

The service sees and treats more than 1,500 patients every month through emergency video and telephone consultations and is highly experienced in managing sprains and strains and if further treatment is required, patients are given scheduled arrival time at a Minor Injuries Unit, helping them avoid a potentially long wait for treatment.

Waiting times for this service are less than one hour and patients received treatment from the comfort of home at an agreed appointment time.

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Dr Scott Davidson, Deputy Medical Director for Acute Services at NHSGGC, said: “Every week have hundreds of patients presenting with sprains and strains at our A&Es. We understand patients may be worried or anxious about their injury, particularly if they’ve had it for a few days.

"While it might seem sensible to go straight to A&E, if their GP is unavailable, their first port of call should be to access the Flow Navigation Centre by calling NHS24 on 111.

“The FNC team have seen thousands of strains and sprains, and the virtual A&E setup means you don’t have to come to hospital and sit in a busy waiting room.

"You’ll get the same level of care through the FNC, and if after your video or telephone consultation the team thinks you need a physical examination, they’ll arrange it for you at a time that suits.”

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Pauline Kerray, Emergency Nurse Practitioner from NHSGGC’s Flow Navigation Centre, said: “The centre is an ideal set-up for sprains and strains patients. When you speak to us, we’ll evaluate your injury, provide advice and we can book you in for onward treatment if necessary. 

"If we think you need an X-ray, you’ll get a time to attend the nearest MIU, meaning you avoid A&E altogether. The key point to remember is to call us first before you make a trip to the hospital.”