Bucks Healthcare Trust is warning of increased pressure on their services this Bank Holiday weekend – and is urging people not to visit A&E unless necessary.

The Trust is reminding patients of their options if they fall ill over the Bank Holiday amid predictions of extra pressure on hospitals in the area.

Anyone with a virus or minor condition such as headaches, colds or back pain is urged to visit a pharmacist who can give help and advice without needing to visit A&E.

Other options include the 24/7 NHS 111 number which is staffed by trained individuals.

The Urgent Treatment Centre at Wycombe Hospital is also open 24 hours a day and is led by GPs and staffed with doctors and nurses.

Patients can go there if they need urgent medical attention but it’s not a life threatening situation – and you can be treated for injuries like cuts, small burns or scalds, bites and stings, sprains and certain fractures, minor head injuries and foreign bodies in eyes.

The Trust is also advising people stock up on over-the-counter remedies for ailments such as headaches, stomach upsets, cuts, grazes and stings and indigestion.

Anyone in a life-threatening condition should always phone 999 or go straight to A&E. These include unconsciousness or difficulty breathing, serious head injuries, heart attack, severe chest pain or stroke, obvious broken bones, deep cuts that will not stop bleeding, fitting or concussion, severe allergic reactions, severe burns and scalds, a rash that does not disappear and accidentally swallowing medicines or dangerous liquids.

People suffering with long-term conditions like COPD, bronchitis, emphysema, diabetes, heart, kidney or liver disease should visit the pharmacist in the first instance if feeling unwell.