NHS Direct recommends use of its online health resources

NHS Direct has called on UK residents to make use of the online health services it offers in order to ease seasonal pressures on the remote care service.

The medical advice provider noted that severe weather is leading to high demand for its telephone service as a result of rising cold and flu cases, with 50 percent more calls having been received last weekend than was forecast.

It has therefore recommended that more people utilise its online health and symptom checkers, which provide self-care advice that allows patients to treat their conditions at home.

Dr Brian Gaffney, NHS Direct's medical director, said: "Patients can be assured that they will receive the same quality of advice that they have come to expect from the telephone service when they access our services online."

Earlier this month, the Health Protection Agency warned that the cold weather is causing a rise in the number of norovirus outbreaks in hospitals and schools, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea and headaches.