NHS bosses are urging people to leave doctor’s appointments for “those who really need them” this winter.

Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) across the North-East launching their annual winter health campaign say many common ailments can be treated at home or with advice from a pharmacist – without the need to see a doctor or nurse.

They want to see these “valuable appointments” kept open for “those who really need them”.

Dr Mark Dornan said: “Winter weather can mean more slips and trips – and generally more of us feeling unwell as we spend more time indoors and coughs, colds and other viruses are passed around our family, friends and colleagues at work.

“This all adds up to more of us having an accident or becoming unwell with a winter bug, meaning people want to see their GP, attend accident and emergency or call 999.

“However, there’s no need to panic as most normally healthy people with a winter illness don’t need to see their GP, attend A&E and absolutely don’t need to call 999 – so our message this winter is keep calm.”

Dr Dornan said neither colds, sore throats, headaches, hangovers, upset stomachs, coughs, aches, pains nor winter vomiting should mean seeing a doctor.

Advertising for the Keep Calm campaign will be seen on television, buses, social media and flyers. For more information, visit keepcalmthiswinter.org.uk or twitter.com/keepcalmne