A Powys border doctors’ surgery has told patients that “we are not an emergency service” after seeing a rise in people who turn up without an appointment expecting to be seen straight away.

Bishop's Castle Medical Practice said it does not have enough staff to treat people who come in as an emergency and are urging patients to make an appointment before showing up at the surgery.

Patients are asked to make the right decision by only contacting the GP surgery for symptoms that don't go away such as ear, back or stomach pain. Urgent care for sprains, fractures, minor burns, and skin infections should be seen at local minor injury units in Ludlow or Welshpool. People must call 999 in emergencies when someone has lost consciousness, severe breathing difficulties or heavy bleeding.

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In a statement to patients posted on social media on Monday, February 19, the surgery said: “We understand that the local hospitals are currently under immense pressure, especially our local emergency departments.

“However, we are again seeing increasing numbers of patients turning up at the surgery without an appointment expecting to be seen immediately by a clinician, feeling it is an emergency.

“As much as we do try and do everything that we can to help and see our unwell patients in a timely manner, we are not an emergency service.

“Unfortunately, we do not have the spare staff or the space to assess and treat patients who come in as an emergency.

County Times:

“If you feel you need seeing urgently, please call the surgery first thing in the morning and we will book you an appropriate appointment.

“If you need an ambulance, coming to the surgery will in all likelihood delay this for you and in many cases, such as in strokes and heart attacks, every minute is crucial - getting appropriate emergency care as soon as possible is imperative.

“Don’t forget we have excellent minor injury units nearby in both Ludlow and Welshpool who are open seven days a week.

“Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding.”