We all have to turn to the NHS from time to time: that’s what it’s there for. And of course, one of life’s cruelties is that even the healthiest, fittest people can develop serious illnesses. Poor health isn’t always avoidable, as much as we might wish it was.

However, living healthily can reduce your chances of developing certain illnesses, diseases and conditions - and that’s good for both you and the NHS’s stretched resources. At its most basic level, good health means eating a balanced, nutritious diet, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep, all of which will help strengthen your immune system (so you’re more able to fight off everyday bugs like the common cold). According to the NHS, maintaining a healthy weight and eating a balanced diet that’s low in saturated fats, high in fibre and rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy can also help reduce your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke.

If you smoke, try and quit (do it for the NHS, if not for yourself!). And avoid binge drinking: in 2016, the head of NHS England warned that casualty nurses and doctors were having to provide a “hangover service” for drinkers who ended up in A&E.

It’s also vital not to make doctors’ appointments or seek emergency attention that you don’t really need. In 2016/17, more than nine million people were sent home from A&E after being given advice they could have obtained from a pharmacist or by dialling 111. Don’t put off visiting your GP or going to hospital if you’re really ill or have a genuine health concern – but if you think the problem might clear up on its own or with the help of over-the-counter medicine, give that a try first.

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