Think before seeking health advice

HEALTH bosses in Warrington are urging people to think twice before they dial 999 this winter.
The NHS in Warrington wants people to do more self care for common complaints.
Mike Cheshire, regional medical director, said: “We know that over the winter, the number of serious and life-threatening cases will go up if temperatures fall below 12 degrees Celsius.
“That’s people with breathing problems, strokes and heart-attacks caused by the cold weather. What we don’t need at such a busy time is people calling 999, turning up at A&E or going to their GP when they don’t need to be there.”
He said during the winter there is extra pressure on GPs and community nursing teams, who provide vital care for those returning home from hospital.
NHS Warrington is again supporting the Choose Well campaign that aims to make people aware of different services and to self care using local pharmacies for common complaints such as coughs and colds, flu, stomach upsets and general aches and pains. Staff say most common complaints will start to get better in a few days.
Advice and information about a range of common winter health complaints, including how long symptoms will last and how to relieve symptoms is available from NHS Choices at www.nhs.uk
There is an easy to use symptom checker, and people can search for local services and use the interactive First Aid toolkit. A mobile phone friendly web-link is also available at http://bit.ly/nhsnwQR