POLICE have called on people not to put strain on the NHS by calling out ambulances unnecessarily.

A spokesman for Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade Police said: “We attend lots of incidents where we require the immediate help from our wonderful colleagues at the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

"We sometimes have to wait quite a while for them through no fault of their own, can you help alleviate their workload by making an alternative choice in NHS service?”

They have called on patients to treat themselves at home if they are suffering from a hangover, grazed knees, sore throats or a cough. If unsure or confused about what treatment they might need people should call NHS 111.

If suffering from diarrhoea, runny nose, painful cough or headache, patients should visit a pharmacist, while those feeling unwell, vomiting or suffering ear pain or back ache should see their GP.

If a patient cannot get to the GP and their symptoms are not getting any better they should head to NHS walk-in services. 

People should only dial 999 or head to A&E if they or someone else is choking, suffering severe bleeding, chest pains or they are blacking out.