DOCTORS are urging people to think twice before heading to A&E with an injury or illness over the August bank holiday.

GPs in Redbridge are trying to encourage people to use other health services over the long weekend instead of clogging up the borough’s already stretched accident and emergency room at King George Hospital.

If you get ill over the bank holiday weekend (August 26 to 28) you can still book a doctors’ appointment at one of Redbridge’s three GP hubs.

The Southdene Surgey in South Woodford, Newbury Group Practice in Newbury Park, and Fulwell Cross Medical Centre in Barkingside have appointments between 8am and 8pm on Saturday and Sunday, and 9am and 4pm on bank holiday Monday.

You can also ring NHS 111 24 hours a day to get medical advice quickly without having to see a doctor or go to hospital.

Redbridge Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) chairman Dr Anil Mehta said: “If you do get ill over the bank holiday weekend, there are lots of ways that you can get the care you need.

“No one wants to spend their bank holiday sitting in A&E and you don’t need to, there are quicker, easier ways to get treatment, or to be seen by a nurse or doctor.

“Going to the right place for your condition ensures that you receive the help you require as quickly as possible, and it also helps to free up A&E for people with life threatening injuries and illnesses.”

For a list of the pharmacies open over the bank holiday see the Redbridge CCG website.

To book an urgent GP appointment call 020 3770 1888 or the NHS on 111.