NHS Lanarkshire are today warning that all three of their A&E departments are working at full capacity.
The health board posted on their social media channels just before lunch time to warn patients that they face up to a 12-hour wait to be seen this afternoon.
They are also asking people not to attend their departments at Wishaw General, Hairmyres and Monklands Hospital unless it is "life threatening."
Instead they are urging people to contact NHS24 on 111 today for all non-life threatening issues.
In a statement NHS Lanarkshire said: "All three of our emergency departments are at full capacity this morning.
"Please do not attend unless it is life-threatening.
"A&E is currently experiencing waits of over 12 hours.
"You can help us, and get the care you need quicker, by calling NHS 24 on 111 today if it isn't life-threatening.
"You may wait a while for your call to be answered or for a member of the team to call you back but this can be done from the comfort of your own home.
"If you need to be seen in person you may be given an appointment time to reduce your wait in our health care settings."
Central Scotland MSP, Monica Lennon responded to the announcement she told Lanarkshire Live: “The fact that NHS Lanarkshire, already in Code Black, has today urged people not to attend its three A&E departments is a loud and clear call for immediate action from the Scottish Government.
“It is unacceptable that Lanarkshire residents are being told not to attend A&E unless life-threatening.
“It is unacceptable that the emergency department waiting time today is more than 12 hours.
“It is unacceptable that health board staff are being run ragged in these conditions.
“The risk to patients and staff is off the scale – the Scottish Government must act now to support a health board clearly on its knees.
“Humza Yousaf, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, must now lead an urgent summit into the NHS Lanarkshire crisis affecting my constituents – we need to do whatever it takes to get our health services out of danger.”
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