A BUS advertising campaign aimed at stopping people going to A&E for non-essential care has been officially launched on routes across the county.

Single-decker buses at the Worcester and Redditch depots will feature the adverts on both the outside of the buses at eye level and on interior headliner panels as part of the ad campaign, which runs until Friday, December 20.

It is estimated that during the last year alone, more than 20 per cent of patients that attended A&E departments in Wor-cestershire could have been treated by another, more appropriate NHS service.

The ‘Is A&E for Me?’ campaign, which is being led by NHS Clinical Com-missioning Groups (CC-Gs) in Worcestershire in partnership with Worces-tershire Health and Care NHS Trust, Worcester-shire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and Worcest-ershire County Council.

The campaign aims to reduce pressures on busy A&E emergency services and departments over the winter period by raising awareness about alternative health services in Worcestershire.

As part of the ‘Is A&E for Me?’ campaign, a mobile app is available, which provides instant information about the range of options that are available for anyone who is injured or unwell.

It also includes a GPS function which allows users to find their nearest NHS services wherever they are.

Ruth Davoll, CCG urg-ent care lead, said: “While the majority of patients that arrive at A&E are there for the right reasons, we would just like to remind people that there are a range other healthcare facilities av-ailable across the county that can deal with a wide range of minor injuries and illnesses.

“If you require advice and treatment when your GP surgery is closed, you can call NHS 111 or visit an alternative health service such as your local pharmacist, walk-in centre or minor injury unit.”

For more information about the ‘Is A&E for Me’ campaign, the mobile app and your local health services visit isaandefor-me.com