Why are so many people going to A&E in England for minor illnesses?

Many people attend A&E for minor ailments due to a lack of convenient access to primary care services closer to home, leading them to seek help at the hospital.

What are the most common minor conditions treated at A&E?

The most common minor conditions treated at A&E include headaches, coughs, sore throats, and earaches, with millions of attendances recorded for these issues.

How can the NHS reduce unnecessary A&E visits for minor ailments?

The NHS aims to reduce unnecessary A&E visits by expanding access to primary care, promoting community pharmacies, and urging the public to use alternatives like NHS 111 for non-emergency care.

Home / Health / Millions Seek A&E for Coughs and Headaches

Millions Seek A&E for Coughs and Headaches

1 Jan

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Summary

Nearly 1.9 million patients treated for headaches in A&E.
Cough attendances rose tenfold from 2020-21 to 2024-25.
Over 2.2 million A&E visits had 'no abnormality detected' in 2024-25.

Millions Seek A&E for Coughs and Headaches

Millions of patients across England are attending Accident and Emergency departments for minor ailments, straining NHS resources. Between 2020-21 and 2024-25, A&E treated nearly 1.9 million cases of headache, 1.4 million for coughs, and 1.2 million for sore throats, with earache accounting for another million visits. These figures highlight a significant shift in A&E usage.

While attendances for critical emergencies like cardiac arrest and broken hips remained relatively stable, non-urgent conditions saw dramatic increases. Cough cases, for example, surged from approximately 44,000 in 2020-21 to over 435,000 by 2024-25, a near tenfold rise. Similar significant increases were observed for diarrhoea, constipation, backache, nausea, and even hiccups.

Health officials warn of a potential "tidal wave" of winter illnesses and unnecessary admissions. Over 2.2 million A&E attendances in 2024-25 resulted in 'no abnormality detected.' Experts emphasize the need for better access to primary care and community pharmacy services to alleviate pressure on busy A&Es, urging patients with non-life-threatening conditions to utilize alternatives like NHS 111.