Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Health
Rebecca Whittaker

NHS patients blocking up A&E with hiccups, sore throats and ingrown toenails

England’s A&E departments treated more than 200,000 people last winter who could have been handled by GPs or pharmacists, health officials revealed.

NHS England said patients sought help for a variety of minor ailments suitable for primary care, including 8,669 cases of itchy skin, 384 people with hiccups, and 96,998 patients with a sore throat.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.