People in Yorkshire and the Humber region can now find the nearest and most appropriate NHS service with the simple touch of a button.

A new iPhone app has been developed by NHS Yorkshire and the Humber which enables people to find the NHS services they need, wherever they may be in the region.

The app gives users the names and addresses of their nearest A&E department, GP, NHS Walk in Centre, dentist, 8 to 8 clinic, sexual health service or pharmacy as well as first aid and emergency advice and reminders about health appointments and medication.

Regional director for public health at NHS Yorkshire and the Humber, Paul Johnstone, said:

“The Choose well phone app is a fantastic piece of technology which will help people find the best and most convenient place to go when they need medical attention.

“Every year, especially in the winter months, we see people turning up to A&E who would be able to get the care they need elsewhere in the NHS. The Choose well campaign has been very successful in raising awareness among people in Yorkshire and the Humber region of the variety of service the NHS has to offer.

“If you have an Apple iPhone, iPad or iPod touch you can download the app from iTunes via the internet.”

The app is based on the NHS Choose well campaign which has been designed to inform patients of the full range of NHS services available to them in their local area. It also seeks to help relieve pressure on A&E and GP services by reducing unnecessary attendances.

As a result of “Choose well”, a campaign which was launched in October 2009, people are getting better at finding the most convenient and appropriate healthcare in their area. A survey, which was conducted to evaluate the impact of the campaign, found that 90 percent of people learned something about health services from the posters, leaflets and advertisements which were available throughout Yorkshire and the Humber region.

The app can be downloaded by going to itunes online or via the NHS Yorkshire and the Humber website.

For further information contact:

Carl Jessop

NHS Yorkshire and the Humber

0113 2952148

Go to http://itunes.apple.com/app/nhs-yorkshire-and-humberside/id417712580?mt=8# to download the app.