Surge in people going to A&E with colds and sore throats amid GP access collapse

09 October 2023 , 23:01

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Doctors have warned many people have tried and failed to access primary care (Image: Getty Images)

A&Es have experienced a surge in patients turning up with minor ailments amid a ­collapse in access to GPs.

NHS data shows cases of sore throats increased by 77% between 2021/22 and 2022/23, up from 191,900 to 340,441. Patients with a cough rose by 47%, fever by 44%, nasal congestion by 30% and earache went up 22%.

NHS Providers director Miriam Deakin said: “It is piling even more pressure on an already-stretched NHS. Persistent strain on primary care services, including GPs and dentists, means patients often resort to A&E when they cannot access care elsewhere. Minor ailments should be managed through pharmacies and NHS 111 online.” Family doctors have warned many people have tried and failed to access primary care.

Royal College of GPs chairwoman Professor Kamila Hawthorne said desperate patients are “increasingly looking for any port in the storm” and turning to A&Es. Royal College of ­Emergency Medicine president Dr Adrian Boyle added: “Communities need good access to healthcare. This requires an adequately staffed system.

“Many of my patients have tried not to come to A&E and have tried all other routes before attending.” People have also been going to casualty requesting medication, with cases up from 31,960 to 38,435.

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The Department of Health said there were more than 2,000 extra GPs since 2019 and pharmacies could now supply prescription-only drugs for seven common conditions.

Martin Bagot