RESIDENTS are being urged to use other NHS services to keep the pressure off A&E this New Year.

Wigan Borough Clinical Commissioning Group is asking people to think carefully before they attend A&E and only go or call 999 for life-threatening and serious conditions.

Mike Tate, chief finance officer and director of commissioned services at the CCG is urging people to use other services, such as pharmacies and Leigh Walk-in-Centre.

He said: “A&E and 999 services are for life-threatening and serious conditions only so please consider using other NHS services if you feel unwell over the New Year.

“Please leave our emergency services for people who really need them. If you do arrive at A&E over the New Year and you do not have a life-threatening and serious conditions you can expect to have a three or four hour wait to be seen, so it’s much better and quicker to visit the walk in centre at Leigh Infirmary instead if you have a minor injury.

“If you feel unwell your high-street pharmacy can help and there’s no waiting.”

The CCG has also warned people not to visit hospitals if they have had a sore throat, cough, cold, sickness and/or diarrhoea, or flu until they have been free of symptoms for 48 hours to prevent the spread of viruses.”

“The NHS has pulled out all the stops to prepare for this winter and we are determined to protect the good standards of service that patients deserve, despite the very considerable pressures we anticipate over the winter months, but we really do need everyone to help us and leave A&E and 999 services for people who really do need them.

“NHS 111 is a fast and easy way to get the right help or advice, and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”

Calls to 111 are free from landlines and mobile phones. Alternatively, to find out where your local NHS services are, go to nhs.uk and use the service finder.