People urged to make the right choices

Over Christmas and New Year Accident and Emergency Departments and doctors surgeries tend to be much busier.

People often turn up at hospitals with a wide range of illnesses and injuries but often the less serious ailments could have been better treated more quickly elsewhere.

Options include GPs, pharmacies, the Single Point of Contact telephone and appointment service (0333 321 8282), the Rotherham Walk-in Centre or NHS Direct. In some cases staying at home and looking after yourself is the best care leaving emergency services for those who need them most.