HEALTH services in St Helens, Knowsley, Warrington, and Halton have joined forces to promote their campaign #letsdoittogether.

From this Monday, January 6 until Friday, January 10, anyone following the hashtag #letsdoittogether on Twitter or Facebook can get an insight into life behind the scenes at Whiston A&E department, the St Helens Urgent Treatment Centre, community pharmacies and GP practices.

Content posted on social media will include live updates, interviews with staff and useful health advice.

The campaign was initially launched in December 2018 to provide a glimpse into life at the frontline of local NHS services and aims to encourage people to use NHS services responsibly and to keep the accident and emergency departments free for those who really need them by giving them the information on what alternatives are available in the community.

Professor Sarah O’Brien, Strategic Director People’s Services at St Helens Council and Clinical Accountable Officer for NHS St Helens Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "We are pleased to be once again launching this campaign with our local NHS colleagues to demonstrate not only the challenges faced by the NHS each winter but also the incredible support and care provided by our local NHS staff.

"We want as many people as possible to support the campaign on Facebook and Twitter so we can spread the message about the best use of NHS services. Please help our staff to help you.”

Health and care staff have also been out across St Helens before Christmas distributing pocket guides which give full information on all the alternatives in the community and when to use them if you fall ill and are unsure where to go for help and treatment. Full information on services in St Helens is available at sthelenscares.co.uk

Partners involved in 'Let's Do It Together' include NHS St Helens Clinical Commissioning Group, NHS Knowsley Clinical Commissioning Group, St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals Trust, NHS Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group, NHS Halton Clinical Commissioning Group, Bridgewater NHS Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.