PEOPLE suffering from a persistent cough are being urged not to attend their GP surgeries as there is little they can do to help.

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is asking people to free up appointments as antibiotics have no effect against this type of cough.

Barry GP Dr Anna Kuczynska said: “We know there is a particularly nasty, persistent cough in the community that lasts a number of weeks and is leading a lot of people to

attend their GP surgery.

“Unfortunately, in most cases, unless the patient has another underlying chronic condition for example, heart or lung disease or diabetes, there is often nothing the GP can do to help other than recommend resting and drinking plenty of fluids.

“Antibiotics will be of no help for most normally healthy people. If you see blood or are breathless with your symptoms, have lost weight or symptoms are on-going more than three weeks, patients should get advice."

Health services across the Vale have also seen increasing pressure in the last week both in the community and hospitals due to a rise in winter bugs like flu and norovirus.

University Hospital of Wales has seen a 25 per cent increase in the number of ambulances attending its Emergency Unit on some days and is urging the public to make best use of pharmacies, opticians and NHS Direct Wales’ symptom checker.

The health board is also urging people to heed general winter weather advice on being careful in cold and icy conditions and checking on elderly relatives and neighbours to make sure they are keeping warm and well.

To find out the best ways to treat common illnesses that GP's cannot help with please visit cardiffandvaleuhb.wales.nhs.uk/news/43712