The Scottish Ambulance Service has warned people only to call 999 if the situation is life-threatening amid “significant and sustained pressure”.
The service said the public should call NHS24 or their GP during the day unless there is a danger to life.
A statement read: “Important message: We’re facing a period of significant and sustained pressure on our services, so please call NHS24 on 111, or call your GP if during the day, unless the situation is life-threatening.”
It comes just days after the largest NHS health board in Scotland warned people not to attend A&E as the service was “extremely busy”.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde urged those without life-threatening conditions to call NHS24 first instead.
NHS Lanarkshire announced it had introduced further visiting restrictions amidst a rise in Covid case numbers.
Ambulances were having to queue outside University Hospital Hairmyres in East Kilbride after Scotland recorded its worst-ever waiting times performance.
Almost 300 additional ambulance service staff are being recruited as part of investment over the past two years.
Dozens of paramedics, technicians, patient transport staff and advanced professionals will be taken on in the North and North-east of Scotland where resources have been under pressure.
Chief executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service Pauline Howie said: “These new resources will ensure we continue to deliver the very best patient care by boosting capacity and increasing our resilience in communities across Scotland.
“They’ll also complement our dedicated staff who have worked tirelessly over the last 18 months in extremely demanding circumstances.
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