Shoppers are urged to pick up a scratch card from a local pharmacy to test their knowledge of NHS services.

Each pharmacy in Oxfordshire has received a share of 5,000 scratch cards to show customers where to go if they are ill or need health advice.

The cards, which have been developed by Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), ask people to choose the service they think is best to treat some health conditions. These range from a cough and cold, mild headaches, broken bones to severe chest pains.

People can find out if their choice is the best one or not by scratching below a service icon on the card to reveal a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer.

The scratch cards also signpost people wanting further advice on treating illnesses to NHS Choices (www.nhs.uk/staywell) and remind those at risk of the flu – such as people aged over 65 or younger people who have a long term health condition – to have a flu vaccination from their GP or pharmacy.

Dr Ed Capo-Bianco, Locality Clinical Director at Oxfordshire CCG, said: “I would urge people to pick up a scratch card when they are next in their local pharmacy to test their knowledge of NHS services. The cards will help us signpost people to the most appropriate service to treat them and help keep them well and healthy especially over winter when pressure on health services increases.”

Carol Trower, CEO for Pharmacy Thames Valley, said: “People often visit local pharmacies for advice and support on how to treat illnesses like a cough or a cold, which provides a good opportunity to further raise their awareness of other health services through the scratch cards.”