By Iveren McCallion
We are being advised to avoid the Emergency Department this winter if it is not an emergency.
Southern Trust Medical Director Dr Richard Wright says we could receive more effective treatment if we go to the right place for illnesses.
He says the Trust is expecting the Emergency Department to be under pressure this winter.
"There has been a sharp rise in recent years in the number of patients who need admitted to hospital at winter with complex health issues associated with an ageing population," he said.
"Higher levels of Flu and vomiting and diarrhoea are more likely in winter which increases pressure for hospital beds and impacts on staffing levels. Recruiting staff is increasingly challenging and despite our best efforts, we expect this to be an issue over the winter period as it will have an impact on the services we are able to provide."
Click or tap below to hear more from Doctor Richard Wright on what to do first when you're unwell:
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