A rising number of individuals are showing up in emergency departments with minor health issues like hiccups and ingrown toenails.
Recent data released by the NHS indicates an increase in patients seeking care in emergency wards for ailments such as ear pain, sore throat, itchy skin, and nasal congestion. Health Secretary Wes Streeting is urging patients to reserve A&E services for genuine emergencies only, as the NHS braces for potentially one of its busiest winters.
Julian Redhead, NHS National Director of Urgent and Emergency Care, emphasized that busy A&Es are not the ideal place for individuals with minor illnesses.
According to NHS England’s data, over 200,000 A&E visits last winter were for conditions that could have been managed elsewhere. The number of patients seeking care for nasal congestion surged by almost one-third compared to the previous summer, raising concerns among healthcare professionals for a similar trend this winter.
In the winter following the summer of 2024, A&E visits for nasal congestion rose from 4,943 to 6,382. Cases involving sore throats increased by 12%, from 86,343 to 96,998, while admissions for ear pain saw an 11% rise from 75,152 to 83,705.
Concerns have been raised that more NHS patients may spend the Christmas holiday away from their families due to healthcare strikes. The British Medical Association announced a five-day strike starting in December, a week before Christmas, further straining hospitals during a busy period of patient discharges.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting expressed his worries about the upcoming winter, highlighting the challenges faced by NHS staff amidst rising flu cases and A&E pressures nationwide. He criticized the BMA’s decision to strike before Christmas, causing distress for patients and families.
NHS England issued a statement describing A&Es as being inundated with patients seeking treatment for minor issues like hiccups and ingrown toenails, which could have been managed by GPs or pharmacists.
Between November 2024 and March 2025, emergency departments in England handled 8,669 cases of itchy skin, 384 cases of hiccups, and 96,998 patients seeking care for sore throats. Additionally, A&E staff managed over 6,000 cases of nasal congestion, close to 84,000 cases of ear pain, and 3,890 cases of ingrown toenails.
However, the Royal College of Emergency Medicine refuted claims that these minor cases are the primary reason for overcrowded emergency wards. President Dr. Ian Higginson attributed the crisis to high inpatient bed occupancy levels and a lack of social care capacity for safe patient discharges.
Dr. Higginson emphasized the need for NHS leaders to address delayed discharges and for the government to enhance social care capacity to alleviate the strain on emergency departments.