Minor ailments taking up too much of GPs' time in UK
Minor ailments are taking up too much of GPs' time and money, new report says
Tuesday, 16, Mar 2010 11:28
GPs are spending too much time treating people for minor ailments such as coughs and colds, healthcare professionals have said today.
The report by the Self-Care Campaign said a fifth of GP workloads were for ailments which could have been self-treated, and were costing the health service £2 billion a year.
In a letter to The Times, the group wrote: "We are now a society in which the common disturbances to normal good health, such as coughs and colds, account for nearly one fifth of GP workload.
"New research reveals the catastrophic impact of this dependency on the NHS and how the NHS has become the victim of a demand-led culture.
"A shift in behaviour around treating minor ailments could save the NHS this money without any cuts to services whatsoever."
Of the minor ailments people went to their local surgery to receive treatment for back pain was the most common reason, prompting 8.4 million appointments, with other ailments including colds, acne, constipation and migraines.
The British Medical Association and the Royal College of GPs (RCGP) have said they support the move towards more self-care.
In a statement the RCGP president Professor Steve Field, said: "Patients with long-term and complex conditions need more time with their GP to discuss their care and treatment options.
"We need to look at ways of encouraging a change in attitude towards the treatment of minor illnesses so that health care and services are properly directed at those most in need."