RESIDENTS in Clydebank are being urged not to ignore symptoms of other critical health conditions during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Golden Jubilee Hospital, in Dalmuir, is continuing to provide “critical to life” heart, lung and cancer services and are urging anyone who feels seriously unwell to seek early treatment.

Patients are also being reminded to continue taking any prescribed medication and attend all appointments unless their doctor or a member of their care team tells them otherwise.

Hany Eteiba, consultant cardiologist professor, said: “The unintended consequence during a pandemic is that people fail to seek timely medical help for other conditions.

“We are noticing that patients with acute cardiac symptoms are waiting longer at home before seeking medical care, putting their life at risk.

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“We know that people may not wish to place what they might perceive as an unnecessary burden on the NHS, but the risk of developing serious or life-threatening conditions remains unchanged.

“We want to reassure the public that the NHS remains available and well-equipped to provide care for these patients and that it is okay to leave your home for medical reasons.

“It is extremely important that people seek medical help for acute heart and lung or cancer as early as possible. Failing to seek help when it is essential may place your health, and even your life, at risk.”

As part of NHS Scotland’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Golden Jubilee will remain a Covid-19 free site for as long as possible.

The hospital has already stopped elective surgery and will only provide intensive care support for both Covid-19 and non Covid-19 patients when intensive care units in other west of Scotland sites are nearing capacity.