Local people are being urged not to call their local GP out of hour's service if they have cold symptoms because the number of calls coming from people who mainly have cold and flu symptoms means that people who are ill and need treatment are struggling to get through on the phone.
In some parts of Cheshire, two thirds of calls to out of hour's services are from people who don't need an appointment so Central and Eastern Cheshire PCT is asking local people not to call their GP out of hours service if they have cold and minor flu symptoms such as coughs and sneezes, sore throat and blocked sinuses.
Instead they are suggesting that people go to their local pharmacy, many of which run a minor ailment scheme that can deal with a lot of common illnesses without needing a doctor, where they will receive advice on the best medicines to take for their symptoms.
The PCT are also reminding people that a text service is available to help people find their nearest pharmacy. Text 'pharmacy' to 64746 and you will receive three free texts with the name, address and telephone number of the nearest three pharmacies. The technology uses global positioning satellites so it will provide details of the nearest pharmacy to where ever you are.
Bill Forsyth, Medical Director for Central and Eastern Cheshire PCT said "The best way to treat a cold or flu, if you have no other conditions that might be affected, is to go to bed, keep warm, drink lots of fluids and take some paracetamol and rest. There is really nothing more that you can do - it's the only solution."
Click here to access NHS Choices videos and view a senior doctor giving advice about colds and flu.
