GP practices in Bradford are opening on extra days this Christmas to ease the festive strains on A&E departments.

Funding from NHS England means many surgeries across the district are opening on Saturday, December 28, and some will be open on Boxing Day and Sunday, December 29.

As part of the NHS Stay Well campaign, people are being urged to check if their own practice is open first and arrange an appointment there instead of going to A&Es at Bradford Royal Infirmary and Airedale Hospital.

All GP surgeries will be open on Christmas Eve, December 27, December 30 and New Year’s Eve but will be shut on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

In all, 20 practices in the Bradford City Clinical Commissioning Group area and 25 in Bradford District CCG area are opening on extra days.

Dr Andy Withers, of Bradford District CCG, said: “Helping people make the right choice about which health service to use not only benefits themselves, but also helps doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals in making sure people receive the right care over the festive period.

“Demand on emergency services increases dramatically at this time of year, so it is important that patients stop and think: does this injury or illness really require emergency treatment? Many winter health problems can be solved by staying at home and taking over-the-counter cold and flu remedies.”

To allow busy NHS services to help people who need them most, the public are asked to have a well-stocked medicine cabinet, contact their local pharmacist for advice, arrange to see a GP or call 111 for urgent healthcare information.

People have been reminded that using A&Es or dialling 999 for an ambulance should only be used when very urgent medical attention is needed.

For details of which GP practices will open on the extra days go to the web version of this story at telegraphand argus.co.uk.