PEOPLE are being asked to think twice before attending accident and emergency as the busy Christmas period begins.

This year has been combined with a rise in patients due to the effects of the snow and ice.

Last year Southend Hospital’s A&E department saw almost 94,000 patients.

Health bosses are asking people to consider where they can best be treated.

Advice is available on www.nhs.uk or by calling NHS Direct 0845 4647.

Treatment is also available via out of hours GP services, pharmacies and St Luke’s Health Centre which is open 365 days a year. No appointment is necessary at the walk in centre in Pantile Avenue, Southend.

Dr Caroline Howard, clinical director of accident and emergency at Southend, said: “We always try to keep patients waiting for as little time as possible. In order to help everyone, we would ask people with more common ailments to consider all their options.”

St Luke’s can be contacted on 01702 611505 for patients in south east Essex.