Our services continue to face high demand and your decisions as a patient really make a difference. We therefore ask if you would please consider:

• only using 999 and Accident and Emergency (A&E) if your condition is a threat to life or limb.
• using alternative services, such as local pharmacies, GP online services and NHS 111.
• attending A&E with non emergency conditions are likely to face a long wait for treatment and may be referred to a more suitable service for their needs.
• check your symptoms, using the NHS 111 online symptom checker, which will redirect you to a health professional if you need to be seen by someone. If your symptoms persist and you are not getting better, please contact your GP practice for advice.
• If you need advice for an everyday illness or injury, please either contact your local pharmacy for help of look at the self care advice that is available online.

We would like to thank our communities for all their help so far this winter and ask that you continue to lend your support to us at this challenging time. Your actions really do make a difference and by choosing the right service for your needs it helps us to prioritise care for those people who are most poorly. Patients with urgent care needs are our priority currently.