Millions of GP visits for coughs and colds ‘are unnecessary’

GPs may be spending large amounts of time on unnecessary consultations with patients who have common coughs and colds.

This is according to a new report from the Local Government Association (LGA), which show that 5.2 million GP consultations a year are for blocked noses, with 40,000 for dandruff and 20,000 for travel sickness.

Overall, minor conditions and illnesses are responsible for approximately 57 million GP consultations and 3.7 million accident and emergency admissions annually, resulting in costs for the NHS of more than two billion pounds.

Of these 3.7 million visits to emergency departments, it was shown that 38 percent were for sprains, 17 percent were for flu, 13 percent were for colic and 13 percent were for insect bites. All of these conditions can be treated by patients themselves.

As such, the report indicated that more needs to be done to help patients look after themselves, thereby reducing the pressure on frontline care.

Izzi Seccombe, chairman of the LGA's community wellbeing board, said: "Many patients want to be more involved in their care, as it gives them a greater sense of control and improves their quality of life. Better self-management could make a huge difference to a person's physical and mental wellbeing."

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