A new website designed to help people report their symptoms and find the best health service nearby has been launched in Buckinghamshire.

All pharmacies, dentists and GP surgeries in Bucks are listed in the Health Help Now programme, as well as A&E details and the Minor Injuries and Illness Unit.

The system breaks down symptoms according to age groups including baby, child, teenager, adult and older adult.

It was developed by NHS Aylesbury Vale and NHS Chiltern Clinical Commissioning Groups. Buckinghamshire is the third place in the country to use this service.

Annet Gammel, chief clinical officer for Chiltern Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said that over the Easter period and bank holidays, people are not sure which services are available.

She said: “We heard, particularly at Wycombe District Council’s listening event, that people are a little bit confused where to go, what’s major and what’s minor; in order to help with that we want clear messages about what is available.”

In December, the CCG promoted their 111 Talk Before You Walk service amid fears the growing pressure on A&E at Stoke Mandeville would lead to the hospital not being able to cope during the Winter months.

Dr Rebecca Mallard-Smith, Chiltern CCG clinical commissioning director for urgent care, said: “We hope Health Help Now will save a lot of people a wasted trip to accident and emergency and help them get the right treatment in the right place more quickly.

“This should also help ease the pressure for our colleagues working in A&E.”

The programme has been developed with the intention that people will check Health Help Now before calling 111 or 999.

Those who do not have access to the internet are advised to call 111 for instant advice, which is a full-time service.

In emergencies, residents are still encouraged to call 999 immediately.

To download the service, visit www.healthhelpnow-nhs.net