Pressures on NHS Ayrshire & Arran's emergency departments have continued into the new year, according to health chiefs.

The local health board say that priority is still being given to those people who require urgent care.

They are also continuing to ask that people only attend the Emergency Departments of their hospitals if their situation is critical.

Otherwise, it is being asked that people seek out support via NHS 24 on 111.

A spokesperson for the health board said: "We continue to experience significant and sustained pressures across our health and care system.

"The demands on our Emergency Departments have increased in recent weeks with patients waiting for significantly longer than usual to be seen and assessed.

"We continue to prioritise those patients who require urgent care. How long you will wait will depend on the seriousness of your condition and how many patients with more serious or urgent needs arrive in the department while you are waiting."

They added: "To help alleviate these pressures and make sure patients are seen as quickly as possible, we are asking the public to only attend the Emergency Department if they have a critical emergency or require urgent care.

"If your need help but it’s not an emergency, call NHS 24 on 111 and you will be assessed over the telephone and referred to the right healthcare professional. Calling NHS 24 from the comfort of your own home can avoid unnecessary trips to hospital and allow you to access care as close to home and as quickly as possible."

NHS Ayrshire & Arran also recently said they were experiencing pressures on their unscheduled care services, meaning longer waiting times than usual for some patients.