medical professionals are appealing for the public to use NHS services wisely during the congested run-up to Christmas.

The NHS is made up of a range of services and choosing the right service for your needs can save lives.

Here is a run-down of basic go-to options available currently through NHS services: 111 – this service provides 24-hour advice on any healthcare need; Pharmacy – think pharmacy first where there are trained professionals who can prescribe medicines and give advice; GP – for ongoing or persistent medical issues; Minor injuries and Urgent Treatment centres – for urgent but not life-threatening issues; A&E – for life-threatening and serious emergencies only.

Dr Lauren Dixon, a Barrow GP and GP Executive Lead for Integrated Care at Morecambe Bay Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “In line with the national picture our services are currently extremely busy and we are appealing to members of the public to choose the most appropriate service for their needs.

“While we are doing all we can to ease the pressures we are facing, we would also ask our local communities to help us by making sure they use their NHS responsibly. They can find out which service best suits their need by either ringing 111 or going on the NHS 111 website.

“We are also advising patients to stock up their medicine cabinets with things like bandages and plasters, pain relief, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, indigestion remedies and antihistamines. These are simple treatment methods that can all be taken in the comfort of your own home.”

Professor Stephen Powis, medical director for England, said: “The NHS is there whenever and however people need care.

“Ambulances and A&E will always be there in an emergency, but people can now also be helped quickly and expertly by phone, online and...new and upgraded services like Urgent Treatment Centres and our Clinical Assessment Service [can be] accessed via NHS 111.”