It can sometimes be difficult to know what to do for the best when you’re not feeling well – but thanks to www.nhs.uk, help is always close at hand.

The website, called NHS Choices, offers a wealth of information and advice about common health conditions, so you can search and read up on your symptoms in seconds using your smartphone.

It can also help you to identify which NHS service might be the most appropriate for your circumstances, as well as find your nearest pharmacy, GP practice, dental surgery, walk-in centre or minor injuries unit plus their opening hours.

Basildon and Brentwood Clinical Commission Group digital communications manager Kathy Canham said: “We’re all used to using search engines to look things up online so why not use www.nhs.uk when you need health information?

“It’s ideal for reading up on common health conditions and searching for local NHS services, and is also a great source of information on things like what to do if you’re expecting a baby, how to access healthcare on holiday and lifestyle tips for people living with long-term conditions like diabetes, asthma and epilepsy.”

Alongside the information available on the NHS Choices website, anyone in need of urgent but not emergency medical assistance can call NHS 111.

Free to call from landlines and mobiles and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it is staffed by fully trained advisers who can assess your symptoms and then give you the healthcare advice you need or direct you to a local NHS service.

Meanwhile, anyone registered with a GP practice can sign up for GP online services to book appointments, order repeat prescriptions and securely access parts of their personal health records via their mobile or computer.

To register for GP online services, simply take photo ID and proof of address to the GP reception, complete a short registration form and you will receive log-in details through the post.

To start exploring the NHS Choices website, visit www.nhs.uk.