ONE of the best ways to help the NHS during the winter months is to pay attention to which is the best service to visit if there is a health complaint.

Health bosses in Bolton at the hospital and clinical commissioning group (CCG) have been urging people to take care of themselves, their friends and family, and to know where the the right place is to go for medical help, advice and treatment this winter.

The winter months are typically the hardest for NHS organisations, GPs and social care providers, with A&E departments and hospitals experiencing significant pressure on services.

Andy Ennis, chief operating officer at the hospital, said: “We are more likely to see patients arriving at A&E with complex conditions exacerbated by the colder spell, which obviously impacts on the waiting times within our emergency department.

“We’d appeal to the public to work with us and do what they can to keep themselves well over the winter months, being conscious of eating and living well, keeping warm, seeking advice from their GP or pharmacist to get early help, so that we are better able to respond when someone is in extreme need with serious injury or illness or in crisis.”

To remind local residents of the options available to them and help guide them through the Winter months, NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group has launched a campaign which will run into early 2019.

Patients are urged to note that this year, GP practices are open as normal on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve from 8am to 6.30pm.

Not all situations will require GP attention, and local pharmacists are qualified to treat minor health concerns.

Most have a separate consultation room so people can discuss their symptoms in private, and no appointment is needed

In addition, many ailments can be treated at home so the message is to stock up on basic medication to tackle pain, indigestion, allergies, upset stomachs and coughs, colds and sore throats.

Chairman of Bolton CCG, Wirin Bhatiani, said: “This is such a busy time of year for health and care professionals and together with our partners, we work hard to try and mitigate the impact on our A&E which is meant for serious injuries and life-threatening conditions.

“We acknowledge that people fall ill, more so in the Winter, and the NHS is there to help but there are a number of services in place which can help prevent an unnecessary trip to A&E."