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A&E Overwhelmed by Hiccups and Sore Throats This Winter
4 Dec
Summary
- A&Es are seeing a surge in patients with minor ailments like hiccups.
- Over 200,000 attendances last winter were for conditions treatable elsewhere.
- Lack of social care capacity hinders hospital patient discharge.
Emergency departments across England are experiencing unprecedented pressure, with a notable rise in patients attending A&E for minor ailments like hiccups and ingrowing toenails. Data reveals that last winter, over 200,000 A&E visits were for conditions that could have been addressed by primary care services, such as GPs or pharmacists. This trend is concerning health officials as they brace for what is predicted to be one of the busiest winters yet for the NHS.
The surge in minor conditions, including a significant increase in blocked nose cases, exacerbates the strain on emergency services already facing challenges from the current flu wave and industrial action. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has implored the public to reserve A&E for genuine emergencies, highlighting the potential for patient anxiety and disruption due to upcoming strikes scheduled before Christmas.
However, a key driver of emergency ward congestion identified by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine is not the influx of minor ailments, but a critical shortage in social care capacity. This deficiency leads to delayed discharges, with thousands of patients medically fit to leave hospitals remaining in beds, occupying vital space needed for the sickest individuals and contributing to prolonged waiting times in corridors.
