PATIENTS are being urged to consider alternatives to A&E in Worcestershire unless they face a genuine emergency as NHS staff prepare for a busy bank holiday weekend.

Alternatives to attending A&E at Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester may include resting at home, using a Minor Injuries Unit or consulting a pharmacist, depending on circumstances.

There will be a change in opening times for some NHS services, like GP practices and pharmacies, with some closures on Monday.

Patients are urged to think ahead and visit the Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group websites to find pharmacy opening times.

Many minor complaints such as coughs and colds can be treated by staying at home, getting plenty of rest and making sure you have a well-stocked medicine cabinet say NHS leaders.

Pharmacists can give expert, confidential advice or medicines for minor ailments such as coughs and colds, tummy troubles and much more.

Patients can call 111, the free NHS Service, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for fast medical advice when it's not an emergency. This can include arranging an out-of-hours GP appointment.

Minor Injury Units (MIUs) are described as offering 'fast, convenient and expert care' for minor conditions including cuts, grazes, sprains and burns.

There are five MIUs across Worcestershire, including at Malvern Community Hospital in Worcester Road (open 9am-9pm), Malvern, Evesham Community Hospital in Waterside, Evesham (open 9am-9pm) and Tenbury Community Hospital, Worcester Road, Tenbury Wells (open 9am-9pm).

To get more information, you can find A&E and Minor Injuries Unit waiting times on the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust website www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/how-busy-are-the-emergency-departments-and-minor-injuries-units-right-now.

If you need help when your local GP Surgery is not open, you can call 111, which is a free NHS Service and can quickly direct you to the right health service, including out of hours GP appointments.