GPs in Deal and Dover are warning New Year party revellers to go easy on alcohol in case they end up in a hospital’s accident and emergency department.

Clinical lead for urgent care for NHS South Kent Coast Clinical Commissioning (CCG), Dr Chee Mah, said: “For all the wrong reasons, the party season is traditionally one of the busiest times for hospital A&E units.

“Unfortunately, too many revellers end up drinking too much. While we don’t want to be killjoys, please remember that alcohol-related injuries can stretch hard-pressed A&E staff to the limit.”

Dr Mah added: “The winter is always busy for the NHS. The colder weather leads to extra pressure on hospital A&E departments as more patients seek help for heart, stroke and breathing problems.

“There are also more injuries from falls. Anyone going to A&E with alcohol-related problems will clog up the system and could delay treatment to those who really need it.

“I appeal to everyone to look after their friends, colleagues and family who may have had too much to drink and to ensure they get home safely and don’t injure themselves.

"If people have a serious accident, or consider their condition to be life-threatening, then A&E may well be the right place for them.”

If you are ill or injured but it is not serious enough for a 999 emergency, and you can’t visit a GP surgery, call the free NHS 111 number for advice and guidance.

An interactive Health Help Now app is available for people with computers, laptops and smart-phones from the Apple Store, Google Play or download from www.healthhelpnow-nhs.net.

Health Help Now gives instant advice about symptoms any time, day or night.

It also has the opening hours of all Kent and Medway pharmacies, complete with directions on how to get to your nearest pharmacy which is open.