Britsstruggling to get a GP appointment this winter could get help without leaving home, as Superdrug gives away more than £1million worth of free health tests during the busiest month for illness.

It comes as new NHS figures show around 1.7million GP appointments in England involve waits of four weeks or more, with January seeing a surge in people reporting coughs, sore throats, fevers and stomach problems.

To ease pressure on GP services, the high street chain is handing out 10,000 at-home 'Health MOT' kits, each worth £111.33, allowing people to check what may be behind their symptoms without booking an appointment.

Hospitals across the country have also warned they are under intense winter strain, with several NHS trusts declaring critical incidents in recent weeks, as seasonal viruses continue to spread.

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Superdrug says the giveaway is designed to give people a faster way to understand what may be causing their symptoms, while easing demand on GP appointments during one of the busiest times of year for the NHS.

The free Health MOT kits allow people to test themselves from home for a range of common winter illnesses and wider health issues. They include checks for Covid-19, flu, Strep A and urinary tract infections, alongside tests for iron deficiency, thyroid function, menopause and vitamin D levels.

The bundle also covers bowel health, stomach ulcers, kidney health, ovulation and male fertility, giving users a broader snapshot of their overall health in one go.

Many of the tests provide results in minutes and are designed to be simple to use, offering reassurance for those who are unwell or a clear sign that medical advice should be sought sooner.

In London, the kits will be available at selected Superdrug stores including Wimbledon and Marble Arch, with 10,000 kits available in total across the giveaway. They will be handed out on Thursday January 22, on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last.

The tests are supplied by Newfoundland Diagnostics, a UK provider of at-home diagnostic testing.

Brits can pick up a free kit by visiting selected Superdrug stores on Thursday January 22. Each kit is worth £111.33, with the total giveaway valued at more than £1million. No GP appointment is required, and kits are available while stocks last.

• Covid-19

• Flu

• Strep A

• Iron Deficiency

• Thyroid

• Menopause

• Bowel Health

• Stomach Ulcer

• Ovulation

• Kidney Health

• Vitamin D

• Male Fertility

• UTI