By Hayley Robinson

Health chiefs are urging people to choose the most appropriate NHS service as one of the coldest winters in more than a decade continues to mount pressure on essential services.

Plunging temperatures and icy roads and footpaths are putting increased demand on both the region's community and acute hospitals.

Some minor injury units in the county have seen up to a 40 per cent rise in the number of attendances since the snow fall.

NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent Deputy Director for Public Health Andrew Scott-Clark said the spell of cold weather has lead to a higher demand for NHS services and urged people to be responsible when using hospitals.

He said: “I would encourage people to consider accessing other health services such as their GP, local walk-in centre or NHS Direct rather than calling 999 or arriving at accident and emergency.

“Accident and emergency should be saved for critical or life-threatening situations.

“People can’t help when they fall ill or when they need emergency care and when that happens, the NHS aims to deliver the most appropriate care.

"People who inappropriately use the ambulance services and accident and emergency departments for non-emergencies are diverting resources away from those who may be in desperate need of care and urgent attention.”

If you do need medical attention, follow the guide below:

A&E or 999: for critical or life-threatening situations
NHS Walk-in Centre or Minor Injury Unit: for treatment of minor illnesses or injuries, without an appointment
GP: for medical advice, examinations and prescriptions for illnesses you just can’t shake off
Pharmacist: for advice on common winter illnesses, and the best medicines to treat them
NHS Direct: for absolutely any health questions, around the clock, and to find local services
Self-care: for treatment of minor winter illnesses, by combining a well stocked medicine cabinet with plenty of rest

Mr Scott-Clark also added a plea for people to keep their home warm during the winter snap which is expected to last another week.

He said: “Cold weather is serious, but you can protect yourself by taking a few straight forward and relatively in-expensive steps.

“As well as looking after yourself, remember the needs of friends, relatives and neighbours who could be at risk.

“Cold weather is especially dangerous for the older people or those with serious illnesses. Those with heart or respiratory problems are more likely to experience worsening symptoms during a cold spell and for several days after temperatures have returned to normal.”

Practical steps to help you stay warm and healthy include:

* Having regular hot drinks and at least one hot meal a day — if possible, eating regularly helps to keep energy levels up during winter

* Wearing several light layers of warm clothes

* Keeping as active as possible

* Remembering to wrap up warm if you need to go outside on cold days

* If you are indoors, close your curtains, use draught excluders and insulate your doors and windows as best you can — this will keep the heat in and help to reduce your bills

* Set the thermostat to 21°C (70°F) and the timer to come on before you get up. If you can't heat all of the rooms you use, heat the living room throughout the day and your bedroom just before you go to bed

* If it's very cold, set your heating to come on earlier rather than turning the thermostat up

* Set your timer so that the heating switches off after you've gone to bed

If you have any immediate health concerns, please call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or visit www.nhs.uk

For more information visit www.direct.gov.uk/keepwarmkeepwell