Sore throats and months-old rashes are among the complaints people have turned up with at Airedale Hospital’s accident and emergency department.

Now the Steeton hospital is taking part in a campaign aimed at stopping people clogging up A&E with non-emergency ailments.

Choose Well has been started by the district’s NHS organisations to help patients get the right care faster and reduce needless trips to busy A&E departments, especially during the winter months when they are over-stretched.

Information will be given out in schools, libraries, hospitals, pharmacies and GP surgeries in Bradford and Airedale reminding people of the range of health services available.

Meg Crossley, A&E consultant at Airedale Hospital, said: “Helping people make the right choice in accessing services will not only benefit patients themselves but also assist our doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals to maintain high quality services.

“We want to make sure people living in and around Keighley get the right care in the right place at the right time.”

People with non-life-threatening ailments or injuries can obtain advice from NHS Direct on 0845 4647, their GP or pharmacist.

For further information about the Choosing Well campaign visit bradfordairedale-pct.nhs.uk.