HEALTH bosses have joined forces with the cast of the York Grand Opera House panto Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs to raise awareness of the NHS services available to patients this winter.

Up to 40 per cent of patients who attend hospital A&E departments during winter have symptoms that could have been treated either at their GP practice, pharmacy or even at home with off-the-shelf medicines.

Dr Phil Kirby, associate director of Public Health for NHS North Yorkshire and York, said: “Sometimes it’s simply a case of patients not knowing what services are available to them and the hospital or GP practice tend to the be the first places that spring to mind when they or a family member fall ill. There are many additional services now available through which to access treatment and advice which not only makes life easier for the patient but also helps to reduce the pressures placed on A&E departments and GP practices.”

The Choose Well campaign, which includes a series of radio adverts and leaflets available from GP practices and pharmacies, is being launched across North Yorkshire and York this week.

For more information, visit northyorkshireandyork.nhs.uk