Cartoonist Graham Ogilvie has been working with young people in Ardrossan to design a new poster to help explain who they should turn to when they are ill.

The newly-created cartoon images for the NHS Ayrshire and Arran When You’re Ill, Know who to Turn to campaign clearly represent the different health services available in the locality, as well as when it would be appropriate to use each service.

From a skateboarder who has fallen and broken his arm, to a lady who has stomach pains during the night, the cartoon campaign covers a wide range of healthcare options including self care, pharmacy, dental, optometry, GP, NHS 24, minor injuries unit and accident and emergency.

One of the young people at the event, Darrel Thomson, said: “I really enjoyed working with the cartoonist because I’ve never done anything like that before.  I thought the cartoons he came up with were great and it was amazing to see how he was able to put our ideas onto paper.  I think the new poster will really help young people to think about who they should turn to when they are ill.”

The scheme is currently featuring in communities across Ayrshire, with leaflets, posters, on-line information, display stands, pens, drinks mats, and targeted events.

Irene Campbell, Project Manager for the campaign, said: “We felt it was vital to involve young people in the creation of a new set of When You’re Ill, Know who to Turn to materials, to make sure the options available to them are clearly understood and suitably designed.

“We were absolutely delighted with the work they produced. The cartoons are fun, eye-catching and really get the message across. We were given some valuable, constructive feedback and some great, creative suggestions which will appear on posters, leaflets and pull up banners across Ayrshire.”

The When You’re Ill, Know who to Turn to campaign  outlines eight options available to people who need assistance from their health service alongside a list of symptoms that could be appropriately dealt with by each option. These include:

• Self care – for minor illness or injury you can deal with yourself, such as hangover, grazed knee, sore throat, coughs and colds
• Pharmacist – for expert advice or information on medicines and healthcare including the Minor Ailment Service.  Examples of minor ailments include coughs and colds, indigestion, constipation, aches and pains
• Dentist – for regular check-ups, routine treatment and emergency care
• Optometry – for any eye problems including blurred vision, difficulty seeing well or discomfort – red eyes, irritated eyes
• Family doctor – when your illness or injury just won’t go away make an appointment to see your GP who can provide  advice and information about conditions such as vomiting, ear pain, sore belly, backache
• NHS out-of-hours service – Turn to your NHS out of hours service when you are too ill to wait until your GP or dental surgery is open.

Call NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24

• Minor injuries service – if you require urgent care for a minor injury such as cuts, minor burns, sprains
• Accident and emergency – Turn to 999 or your hospital’s A&E department only for serious illness or accidents such as suspected stroke, heart attack, head injuries, fracture or wounds requiring stitches

Liz Moore, Director of Integrated Care and Emergency Services, said: "All too often we see people coming in to accident and emergency when they would have been better using one of their local services such as their pharmacist, GP or dentist. Knowing which NHS service to use, and when, is extremely important both in terms of patient care and the running of the NHS.

“Choosing the wrong service can lead to delays, patient frustration and inefficiencies. Choosing the right service can lead to better patient satisfaction and a speedier recovery.

"We hope the new posters will help young people access their health service more easily and get the advice, expertise and treatment they need in the right place at the right time.”

For further information on the When You’re Ill, Know who to Turn to campaign, please contact 0800 169 1441.