Summary
Patients in England have been visiting hospital emergency departments for minor health issues like hiccups and sore throats, leading to overcrowding. NHS England is encouraging people to use alternative healthcare services, such as pharmacies and online GP bookings, to address these minor conditions. The push comes as part of a campaign to ensure emergency services are reserved for serious and life-threatening conditions.
Key Facts
- Over 200,000 A&E visits in England last winter were for minor issues such as hiccups and ingrowing nails.
- These minor ailments accounted for more than 2% of all A&E visits from November to February.
- NHS England advises using services like pharmacies, GP websites, and NHS 111 for non-emergency care.
- Between November 2024 and February 2025, there were approximately 83,705 A&E visits for earache and 96,998 for sore throats.
- Difficulty accessing GPs contributes to unnecessary A&E visits, with over 20% of patients unable to reach their GP quickly.
- NHS England launched a campaign called '24 Hours Not In A&E' to inform the public about quicker and convenient care options.
- Online GP appointment bookings have been implemented, with 98% of practices now offering this service.
- The NHS in England faces additional challenges like rising flu cases and potential strikes by resident doctors.
