WEST WORCESTERSHIRE MP Harriett Baldwin has urged local people to check online before rushing to Accident and Emergency during the holiday period, especially if it's a minor injury or illness.
The NHS Acute Trust has put up special pages on its website to show ‘live’ waiting times at local hospitals including the minor injuries units, and the community hospitals in Malvern, Pershore and Tenbury, which often have no wait at all.
A specialist mobile phone application has also been launched to help people identify where the best place is to get help for an illness or injury.
Harriett said: “Often people go straight to A&E rather than checking to see if their condition can be dealt with much quicker at a minor injuries unit where waiting times are often much shorter or by calling 111, visiting a pharmacy or calling their GP surgery.
“If you have a genuine medical emergency, you must dial 999 but if you have time, check online to see where is best to get help.”
The current waiting times can be found at http://www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/how-busy-are-the-emergency-departments-and-minor-injuries-units-right-now/ and the mobile phone app can be downloaded at http://www.isaandeforme.com/.