FAMILIES in Worcestershire enjoying the Half Term holidays are being reminded only to go to A&E or call 999 in a genuine emergency.

The county’s three Clinical Commissioning Groups are reminding people there are a range of healthcare options in the area, many of which can help treat minor injuries or illnesses without the need to go to hospital.

Among these are the county’s three Minor Injuries Units in Malvern, Evesham, Kidderminster, Bromsgrove and Tenbury, which can deal with broken bones, bruises, grazes, burns and other non-urgent conditions, and where waiting times are often much shorter than at A&E.

The units in Kidderminster and Tenbury are open 24 hours a day – although health bosses recently agreed to scale back Tenbury’s opening hours to 12 hours due to lack of demand.

Other options include GPs, pharmacies and the NHS 111 service.

Urgent care lead for the three CCGs Ruth Davoll said: “A&E departments are often seen as the first place that people go when in fact there are other NHS services that may be more suitable,” she said.

“Pharmacists can help with a range of common conditions and minor injuries, and many are open until late and at weekends.

“If you need medical help fast but it’s not an emergency you can call NHS 111, which is a free service and can quickly direct you to the right service.

“It also ensures that the 999 number is kept free for very serious emergency medical cases.”