Ambulance companies and hospitals expertise heightened demand throughout Christmas and the general public are requested to name 999 solely in life-threatening conditions.
Alternative companies similar to pressing therapy centres and same-day emergency care can be found to ease pressures on emergency departments.
In addition, appointments typically apply are additionally out there, individuals ought to contact their practices within the traditional approach and they are going to be signposted to essentially the most applicable service.
To assist cope with elevated pressures, the NHS can be urging the general public to assist get their family members dwelling for Christmas.
Hospitals throughout the nation wrestle all year long with sufferers who’re clinically able to be discharged from hospital typically that means different individuals wait longer for an emergency admission and a mattress to change into out there.
NHS England North West’s Medical Director for System Improvement and Professional Standards Dr Gareth Wallis mentioned: “The NHS is right here for you when you want us over the festive season.
“NHS 111 is a superb possibility for healthcare help and recommendation on non-emergency well being issues. It can direct you to essentially the most applicable native therapy, whether or not that’s your GP, a pharmacy, a callback from a nurse, or an pressing walk-in therapy centre.
“However, in an emergency, similar to when somebody is critically ailing or injured, individuals ought to nonetheless name 999 or go to A&E.”
Health recommendation can be out there by way of the NHS App and the NHS web site, the place individuals can test signs and find companies similar to their nearest pharmacy.
People have been urged to maintain a small provide of fundamental medicines, similar to paracetamol, plasters, and indigestion treatments, to handle minor diseases or accidents at dwelling.
Dr Wallis added: “I’d prefer to remind everybody to practise good hygiene by washing palms regularly with cleaning soap and heat water, particularly after utilizing the bathroom, cleansing up after sickness, or earlier than getting ready meals.
Norovirus signs, together with vomiting and diarrhoea, normally resolve inside two to 3 days, however the virus can pose a larger threat to susceptible teams, similar to younger kids and older adults.
Data revealed exhibits a 67% improve in flu hospitalisations within the North West, with 1,923 sufferers admitted final week in comparison with 1,153 the week earlier than.
Health leaders are warning that this pattern might escalate additional as colder climate and festive gatherings method, highlighting the significance of vaccination to scale back extreme sickness and hospitalisations.
