HEALTH workers are urging people who need urgent medical care this bank holiday weekend to 'think NHS 111 first'.

People needing medical care this weekend are being encouraged to dial 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk as a first port of call to ensure they can get the help that they need without overwhelming emergency services.

Callers will be connected to an advisor who can help them get the right treatment and direct to them to a minor injuries unit, urgent treatment centre or local emergency department.

GP and clinical lead for the Dorset-wide urgent and emergency care group Dr Simon Watkins, said: "In these times of unprecedented demand we are asking people to help support their local NHS and wider health and care systems by doing what they can when they need help, whether this is choosing the most appropriate care and leaving service available for those who need them most, or taking care of their own health.

"As a practicing GP, I am always happy to see people if they need to be seen, but often they could be treated better elsewhere so they may get directed to a different service in order to be seen more quickly."