THIS week, social media users can follow a campaign showing how St Helens' NHS is coping with an unprecedented demand on its services.

#Let’sDoItTogether will illustrate what an average day looks like and will provide live information about services.

Starting today (Monday, April 3) with a look at A&E services, different parts of the NHS will come under the spotlight each day until Friday (April 7).

Dr Hilary Flett, Governing Body member at St Helens CCG, said: “We know the NHS is experiencing unprecedented levels of demand on its services and the aim of the campaign is to help patients and the public better understand the pressures our NHS services experience in a typical day.

“The NHS offers a huge range of services to our patients and it feels like we spend a lot of time directing patients about which services to go to and when.

"We hope by taking a more interactive approach to informing patients about services, they will feel more able to make their own decisions about which services are best for them and mean that patients can receive the right type of care and advice, delivered by the right health professional in a more timely manner”

Today (Monday), the week of activities kicks off at St Helens and Knowsley NHS Teaching Hospitals Trust, which will be launching a film aimed at better informing patients about the role of A&E.

They will also be undertaking a live Tweetathon which will see up-to-the-minute updates throughout the day. Patients will be asked to complete a short survey as to why they have accessed this service.

Tomorrow (Tuesday), a live Tweetathon will highlight the challenges the North West Ambulance Service is facing across the region.

On Wednesday, the focus turns to walk-in centres and there will be a live Tweetathon throughout the day and a film with walk-in centre staff highlighting services provided and opening times. Patients will be asked to complete a survey.

On Thursday, a film with a local doctor will highlight the work GPs do and the challenges they are facing. There will be a live Tweetathon from a GP practice in St Helens. Patients will be asked to complete a survey.

The week will end with a look at pharmacy services on Friday (April 7). An interview with a St Helens pharmacist will show the range of services local pharmacies deliver, such as Care at the Chemist, which many patients are not aware of. A number of pharmacies will be joining a live Tweetathon throughout the day.