WIRRAL health chiefs have launched a campaign urging the public to keep well during the long winter months.

NHS Wirral Clinical Commissioning Group's Choose Well campaign offers practical advice and support on choosing the right NHS service and helps people understand how to reduce the risk of falling ill in the first place.

Dr Abhi Mantgani, chief clinical officer of NHS Wirral CCG said "This year more than any other, we are asking people for their support, to make sure that we can give urgent and emergency care to those people who need it.

"We need them to think twice and make sure they choose the right service for minor illnesses, ailments and injuries.

"There are a number of minor illnesses and ailments that can be self-treated.

"If you are a normally healthy adult, coughs, colds and stomach upsets such as sickness and diarrhoea are unpleasant, but you will begin to recover after 48 hours.

"Paracetamol, anti-diarrhoeal medicine, indigestion remedies, plasters and a thermometer will help adults to deal with most minor illnesses and ailments over the winter period, although it is important to follow instructions and telephone your GP surgery if your symptoms fail to improve after a couple of days.

"Staying at home and self-treating until you are free from symptoms for 48 hours are important to preventing further spread of these viruses."