The Morecambe Bay NHS Trust is again reminding local people to think carefully before turning up to A&E departments this bank holiday weekend.
They're reminding residents that the Accident and Emergency units at Westmorland General, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and Furness General Hospital are only for real, life-threatening cases.
One in four people who turn up could self-care at home or should've gone somewhere else like the pharmacy or a GP.
Geoff Jolliffe, NHS Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group Interim Clinical Chair and GP Lead for Furness said: “The first priority is to keep safe and well. Accidents can cause a demand on services and stress to families, so be careful. Alcohol is always a risk at these times and a major cause of accidents, ill health and hospital admissions, so drink wisely.
“As well as Accident & Emergency, GP out-of-hours services will be under pressure, over the longer weekend. So think about whether you need a doctor for your complaint and if you do, is it urgent? Or could it reasonably wait? Could I use one of the other service options available.
“It’s also good advice to make sure that you are organised and have any routine appointments booked in, in plenty of time ahead of the bank holiday, to avoid any last minute panics and struggles to get appointments over this busy time.
“As most GP surgeries will be closed on Monday we are encouraging patients to use pharmacists as a source of medical advice. They can offer expert, confidential advice and treatment for many minor health problems.
“It is also wise to be stocked up on your medicine cabinet essentials, even if you aren’t on regular prescriptions. Make sure you have some painkillers and plasters to hand in case they are needed. It’s better to have them in and not use them rather than have to hunt for them when you do.”