New NHS data shows that there were more than 200,000 A&E attendances last winter for conditions that could have been dealt with elsewhere. The figures include 8,669 attendances for itchy skin and 96,998 for a sore throat. 384 people attended A&E with hiccups, 6,382 with nasal congestion and 3,890 with ingrowing nails.
In response the NHS has launched a campaign raising awareness of the range of ways to access care.
The campaign comes as flu cases are rising and a resident doctors' strike scheduled from 17-22 December.
Pharmacy First will give patients access to quick, easy support for seven common conditions including sore throat, sinusitis and earache. For the first time ever during winter, pharmacists will also be able to provide an emergency contraceptive pill and support people who have been newly prescribed antidepressants.
A short film called “24 Hours Not In A&E” has been released to help people navigate their health concerns and avoid unnecessary visits to A&E departments and GPs.
For more serious cases, new urgent treatment centres have been opening across England including Plymouth, Lymington in Hampshire and Yeovil in recent weeks.
A&Es are currently busier than ever, with attendances 37,000 higher in October than in the same month last year.
Julian Redhead, NHS National Director of Urgent and Emergency Care, said: “The last place a patient wants to be when they have a minor illness is in a busy A&E – so this winter NHS staff are working hard to expand the number of routes into the NHS so patients can get fast and convenient care closer to them.
“Whether the services are online, over the phone or in-person, a variety of doorways to care are open across the NHS.
“The current flu wave and strikes will increase the chances of hospitals getting much busier this winter– and it’s more important than ever that patients are getting the care they need in the most appropriate place."
Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting, said: “This winter will be one of the busiest ever for our hard-working NHS staff dealing with soaring flu cases and tough pressures across A&Es up and down the country.
“That will be made even harder by the BMA’s dangerously reckless decision to strike in the run up to Christmas, causing real anxiety for patients and their families at such an important time of the year.
“We are doing all we can to make sure patients are kept safe and get the right care during this time of intense pressure. We can all do our bit this winter by making sure we only use A&E in for genuine accidents and emergencies.”
