Health bosses are urging people to think twice before using A&E this winter to avoid a crisis within the department.

Dr Joe McGilligan and Chief Executive Michael Wilson both express their appeal to residents with non life threatening illnesses and less serious injuries to get advice from the NHS helpline on 111 before considering A&E.

The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and is free from landlines and mobiles. Callers can also get information on local health services and advice on illnesses and injuries.

Dr Joe McGilligan, local GP and Chair of NHS East Surrey Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: “...every year thousands of East Surrey residents seek emergency help in hospital when they could have been cared for much closer to home.’’

Local NHS data shows that the monthly average number of people attending A&E with minor ailments in 2014/5 is 1187, adding up to the cost of the NHS being nearly half a million pounds just between April and August.

 Michael Wilson, Chief Executive of the Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said: ‘’We want more patients to get the care they need from the most appropriate service’’

A recent survey of patients at East Surrey Hospital’s A&E department uncovered significant numbers of people using A&E because it is convenient and close to where they live.