People in the North West are being urged to use the right NHS service for their needs as new data show thousands have attended A&E for minor health concerns such as sore throats.
Nationally, there were more than 200,000 A&E attendances last winter for non-emergency conditions that could have been dealt with elsewhere – including 8,669 attendances for itchy skin and 96,998 for a sore throat.
And a national survey of adults aged 16+ who had been to an A&E has shown 43% of those questioned in the North West admitted going to A&E for a non-emergency issue because they thought it would be quicker to get medical support, with 12% saying they visited A&E for a sore throat and 11% for a urinary tract infection (UTI).
Almost one in three of those who took part in the survey from the region also acknowledged they had previously been to A&E for an issue that, in hindsight, could have been managed by another NHS service.
With flu cases on the rise and ahead of the resident doctors’ strikes from 17-22 December, the NHS has today released a striking short film titled “24 Hours Not In A&E” as part of a campaign to help people navigate their health concerns and avoid unnecessary visits to A&E departments and GPs.
Dr Michael Gregory, Regional Medical Director for NHS England in the North West, said:
“Our hospitals are already experiencing increased pressures at the start of winter and people can help by making sure they get the right care in the right place when they need medical help.
“We have a wide range of services, including community pharmacy, general practice and urgent treatment centres, that can offer quick and convenient advice and treatment for non-emergency conditions.
“If you are unsure where to go, NHS 111 can help find the best place for your condition and it is available 24/7 online at 111.nhs.uk, on the NHS App and by calling 111.
“While we know the NHS is busy during winter, please do not delay seeking care when you need it. The NHS is here for you and we urge anyone with health concerns to continue to come forward.”
This winter the NHS is throwing open more doors to care than ever before, making it simpler and quicker for people to get the help they need.
Pharmacy First gives patients access to quick, easy support – including prescription-only medicines – for seven common conditions including sore throat, sinusitis and earache.
For the first time ever during winter, pharmacists will be able to provide an emergency contraceptive pill and support people who have been newly prescribed antidepressants.
Nearly all (98.7%) GP practices are offering online consultation requests for patients with almost 1 million people (929,564) using the service in October in the North West.
The NHS App allows patients to request appointments, check their health records, receive reminders, or even order repeat prescriptions.
A&Es are busier than ever before heading into winter, with attendances 37,000 higher in October nationally than in the same month last year.
There were a total of 200,028 attendances at A&Es across England from 1st November 2024 to 28th February 2025 with the following conditions:
- Nasal congestion (6,382)
- Earache (83,705)
- Sore throat (96,998)
- Ingrowing nails (3,890)
- Itching skin (8,669)
- Hiccups (384)
The new NHS data also shows the number of attendances at A&E for a blocked nose soared by nearly a third last winter compared to summer 2024 (4,943 v 6,382), and there was a 12% increase in A&E cases involving a sore throat (86,343 v 96,998) while those with an earache rose by 11% (75,152 v 83,705).
This all comes as the NHS has delivered 14.4 million flu vaccines so far this autumn (14,419,345) – over 160,000 more than they had at the same point last year (14,253,063 w/e 10 November 2024) – to prevent people getting seriously ill with the virus and needing hospital care.