HEALTH chiefs have launched a new booklet to help people decide when they should summon medical help to their homes.
The Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) is distributing the leaflet through surgeries, health centres, pharmacies, opticians and dental surgeries, community hospitals and other health establishments.
Called When Should I Call the Doctor?, the booklet highlights how to treat some common illnesses and medical problems.
It also gives information to help people decide whether or not they need to call the doctor and other sources of help and advice.
It has been produced in response to patient demand and is an update of a booklet produced in 1998 by the former North Yorkshire Health Authority.
The original was highly commended by the British Medical Association.
Director of the PCT Maddy Ruff said: "The booklet has been produced because patients and members of the public have been asking us for more information on getting the right treat- ment.
"We have also been a little concerned that some people are still making inappropriate calls to the out-of-hours service or visits to accident and emergency.
"We are hoping that this useful little book will give people a better idea of when to call the doctor and when they should consider self-care or getting help and advice from other sources."
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