HEALTH chiefs have encouraged people to stay away from accident and emergency departments unless 'absolutely necessary' over the festive period.
Residents in East Lancashire have been urged to use alternatives to A&E such as NHS 111, the pharmacy, walk-in centre and NHS choices website.
People can also stock up their medicine cabinets and make sure they have enough prescription medication to see them through Christmas and New Year.
Dr Preeti Shukla, clinical lead at both the Blackburn with Darwen and East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) said:“Christmas and New Year is the busiest time of year for the NHS which is why the accident and emergency departments only have the capacity to treat people with life threatening injuries or illnesses.
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