A MAJOR campaign has been launched to tell people what health care facilities they should use following a major organisation of hospital facilities.

The Take Care awareness campaign aims to highlight that although "blue light" emergencies are now treated at Royal Blackburn Hospital, 85 per cent of patients who used to use Burnley General Hospital can still use its new Urgent Care Centre.

A leaflet and a fridge magnet pointing people in the appropriate direction for various levels of condition or illness has been produced by the East Lancashire Primary Care Trust.

This ranges from the appropriate use of local pharmacists and GPs to NHS Direct, and the proper use of Burnley's Urgent Care Centre and Accrington Victoria's Minor Injuries Unit.

A spokesman for the PCT said the new public awareness campaign aims to make everybody aware of the healthcare choices available. And the aim is to ensure that people are seen by the right individual or team, at the right time and in the right place.

The campaign will also see local health workers in newspaper adverts and on TV and radio to highlight the issue.

Dr Swarmy Narayana, a local GP and Chairman of the medical Professional Executive Committee said: "Many people are unaware that services provided by their local GP or NHS Direct can often deal with common illnesses faster than in-demand services such as the Urgent Care Centre and that 999 is only for the most serious illnesses and injuries."

Using a colour-coded logo, the Take Care campaign aims to help people to associate the severity of their symptoms with a particular NHS service.

The advice is: Contact your GP - for medical advice, examinations and prescriptions for illnesses you can't shake off.

Attend the Burnley Urgent Care Centre - for treatment of urgent but less serious illnesses or injuries, without an appointment.

Ring NHS Direct - for absolutely any health questions, around the clock, and to find local services.

Emergency - call 999 for critical or life-threatening situations.