HEALTH chiefs are encouraging people to consider seeing a GP or pharmacist rather than putting extra pressure on A&E staff this winter.

Every year the A&E dep-artments at Worcestershire Royal Hospital and the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch see about 130,000 patients, but many of these could have been treated more appropriately somewhere else.

Experts at NHS Worces-tershire say some patients could have been treated at a local minor injuries unit (MIU), by a GP, a pharmacist or even by themselves with basic self-care, first aid and advice.

Research used by NHS Worcestershire – the organisation which pays for health services across the county – suggests that community pharmacies alone could have managed about 10,000 of these patients, which would have helped to relieve pressure and ensure that A&E could help the people who needed it the most.

NHS Worcestershire is helping people to make better decisions about choosing healthcare services this winter with the launch of its Unwell? Choose well campaign.

Launched last week, it aims to help people decide what medical attention they need if they become unwell by explaining what each NHS service does and when it should be used.

Sandra Rote, director of clinical development and lead executive nurse at NHS Worcestershire, said: “With the winter months fast approaching and with the added threat of swine flu this year, it’s even more important that patients go to the right place for treatment. Ultimately the NHS is here to help people and we provide many different healthcare options. With this campaign we are hoping to make it easier for people to make the choice that gives them the quickest access to the most appropriate treatment.

“Choosing well will also allow very busy services such as A&E to help the people who really need it.”

More information about choosing the right health service at the right time can be found on NHS Worcestershire’s website at worcestershire.nhs.uk/choosewell.aspx.