"Please only use 999 and accident and emergency departments for life-threatening injuries and illnesses."
That's the message from the region's NHS as services continue to face high demand over the festive break. The health service issued the urgent plea on Wednesday and advised the public to think of alternative services such as local pharmacies, GPs, NHS111 online, if their condition is not life threatening.
Dr Neil O'Brien, executive medical director for the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, said: "We would like to thank our communities for all their help so far this winter and ask that you continue to lend your support to us at this challenging time.
