The NHS in Kent and Medway has launched a new app which tells people the best place to go for treatment.

Health Help Now is believed to be the first of its kind in the country and is free to anyone who lives and works in the county.

The app enables users to input their location and symptoms and it works out which hospital they should visit.

If it’s to a pharmacy, it will give directions to the nearest one open.

GP Dr Fiona Armstrong, clinical chairman of NHS Swale Clinical Commissioning Group, which plans and pays for the bulk of the borough’s health services, said: “Health Help Now means our local community will be able to find the most appropriate help fast and when they need it.

“We hope that by using this web app, patients will become more aware of other services which are often better able to meet their needs.

“This may save them a long wait in A&E and should help to take the pressure off, especially over the busy winter period.

“It can be thought of as an early Christmas present from the NHS.”

It was developed with input from local GPs, hospital doctors and other health professionals and lists common symptoms and offers suggestions for treatment.

Health Help Now can be downloaded onto laptops and desktop computers now via: www.healthhelpnow-nhs.net

It will be launched as a free mobile phone and tablet app next year.

Anyone who does not have internet access should call NHS 111 free for 24-hour urgent healthcare advice.