Patients are being warned not to clog A&E with everyday problems as NHS figures show thousands of people went to hospitals for minor ailments such as hiccups and ingrown toenails last winter.
According to NHS England, between November and February there were more than 200,000 visits to A&E in England for conditions that could have been treated elsewhere.
This represents more than 2% of all attendances during that four-month period, consuming vital resources in under-pressure A&E, health chiefs said.
Patients with minor conditions are advised to seek help elsewhere, including pharmacists, GPs and NHS 111, either by phone or online, as some of these can be treated at home.
Between November 1, 2024 and February 28, 2025, NHS figures show there were:
- 6,382 visits for nasal congestion
- 83,705 visits for ear pain
- 96,998 visits for sore throats
- 3,890 visits for ingrown toenails
- 8,669 for itchy skin
- 384 for hiccup
Assistance was provided in major emergency and emergency units or in minor injury units run by hospitals.
Research shows that one of the factors driving unnecessary A&E visits is difficulty accessing GP services; The latest figures show that more than a fifth of patients are unable to contact their GP on the day they try.
NHS England said patients can get prescription medicines (traditionally dispensed by GPs) at pharmacies for a range of common conditions, such as sore throat, sinusitis and earache.
It is also launching a video titled “24 Hours No Emergency” as part of a social media campaign to help avoid unnecessary visits to emergency departments and GPs.
NHS England director of urgent and emergency care Julian Redhead said: “The last place a patient wants to be when they have a minor illness is in a busy A&E, so this winter we are working hard to expand the number of routes into the NHS so patients can receive fast, convenient care closer to them.
“Whether services are online, over the phone or in person, there are a range of doors open to care across the NHS.
“As always, please use A&E & 999 for life-threatening conditions and serious injuries.”
GP Dr Ellie Cannon, who appears in the NHS England social media video, said patients should remember they can contact their GP through their websites rather than relying on phone lines.
“Knowing where to get the care you need can make all the difference,” she said.
“It’s common for people to opt for the 8am appointment for a GP appointment, or go to A&E as that’s what they’re most familiar with, but there are many much more convenient and quicker ways to manage your health issue while you get on with your day.”
He said contacting GPs through their websites could be quicker and easier, as well as using pharmacies and NHS 111.
GPs in England were ordered to offer online bookings from October and figures published this week show more than 98% now do so. Those systems allow patients to ask questions and request appointments.
But the change has sparked opposition from the British Medical Association (BMA), which has warned it could put patients at risk because GPs could be overwhelmed when assessing online consultations.
It comes as NHS England begins publishing its winter monitoring statistics on Thursday. They will provide a snapshot of how hospitals are coping, including the number of flu patients on wards, how long ambulances queue for outside emergencies and bed occupancy rates.
Last month, NHS England chief executive Sir Jim Mackey warned that this winter could be one of the toughest the health service has ever faced, as flu rates began to rise early amid what appears to be the spread of a serious strain.
The NHS is also facing the prospect of more strikes by resident doctors, who were previously called junior doctors.
BMA members will go on a five-day strike starting December 17.
