Patient information: strikes are taking place in some parts of the NHS on the 20, 21 and 28 December

• NHS services across the North East & North Cumbria Region are experiencing extremely high demand at the moment – this includes GP practices and the 111 service which are both extremely busy

• If you need advice for a minor/mild illness or injury, in the first instance, please either contact your local pharmacy for help or look at the self-care advice that’s available on-line from the NHS at www.nhs.uk

• If you want to check your symptoms, there is an on-line symptom checker available at 111.nhs.uk, which will re-direct you to a health professional if you need to be consulted by someone.