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EnglandHealth officials revealed accident and emergency departments treated more than 200,000 people last year for problems that could have been handled by GPs or pharmacists.
NHS England It said patients sought help for a variety of minor ailments not eligible for primary care last winter, including 8,669 cases of itchy skin, 384 people with hiccups and 96,998 patients with sore throat.
A&E Staff dealt with more than 6,000 cases of blocked nose, almost 84,000 ear aches and 3,890 cases of ingrown toenails between November 2024 and March 2025.
The health body said A&Es are “besieged by hiccups and ingrown toenails” as it launched a campaign highlighting places where patients can get care.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting “A&E should be accident and emergency, not anything and everything,” he told Good Morning Britain on Tuesday.
Health officials have also expressed concern about the rising levels Fever and the impact of upcoming resident doctor strikes in England.
Mr Streeting said: “This winter will be one of our busiest ever thanks to our hard work NHS Staff dealing with rising flu cases and tough pressures in A&E up and down the country.
“This will be made even more difficult by the BMA’s dangerously reckless decision to strike before Christmas, causing real concern for patients and their families at such an important time of year.
“We are doing everything we can to ensure that patients are kept safe and receive the right care during these times of intense pressure.
“We can all play our part this winter by making sure we only use A&E for genuine accidents and emergencies.”
Mr Streeting has warned that a planned walkout for five days from December 17 could put patients at risk.
Julian Redhead, national director of urgent and emergency care for NHS England, said: “When a patient suffers a minor illness the last place they want to be is in a busy A&E, so this winter NHS staff are working hard to expand the number of pathways across the NHS so patients can get fast and convenient care close to them.
“Whether services are online, over the phone or in person, there are a variety of doors to care across the NHS.
“The current flu wave and strikes will likely make hospitals even busier this winter – and it is more important than ever that patients are getting the care they need in the most appropriate place.”