All health and care services across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire are extremely busy. If you contact NHS 111 or 999, you may face a longer wait than usual – please bear with us.

Please only use 999 for the most urgent, life threatening emergencies. This means services can get to the sickest people first.

Please be prepared to self-care for very minor conditions by stocking up on home medicine essentials – paracetamol or aspirin, antihistamines for allergic reactions, indigestion remedies and a basic first aid kit for example. There is online advice on a range of common winter illnesses from local pharmacists on the ICB website.

If you feel you need advice for minor illness, please use your local community pharmacist. They can provide advice on a range of minor illnesses as well as repeat medication, contraception and sexual health.

Please use Minor Injuries Units or the Urgent Treatment Centre for less serious injuries such as cuts and grazes, sprains and strains and trips and falls. Services are open in Yate, South Bristol and Clevedon.

If you do have a loved one in hospital who is well enough to leave you may be asked to help by bringing them home from hospital. This will make a significant difference and free up a bed for someone most in need of it.

 More information about pressure on services and industrial action is available on the ICB website.