A&E often used for minor problems

Patients are using emergency services unnecessarily

Thousands of patients are heading to a major accident and emergency department with minor problems that could be treated elsewhere, doctors say.

Research at Leicester Royal Infirmary showed that 44% of people who answered a survey should have gone to their GP.

Dr Colin Read, chief doctor at Leicester's emergency department, is urging patients to only use the department when absolutely necessary.

People use it as it is open around the clock and convenient, he said.

Coming to the emergency department with bumps, coughs and colds is a bit like ringing 999 ... when you see someone dropping a crisp packet Dr Colin Read

One-third of the people answering the survey carried out by the Leicester City Primary Care Trust said they had not contacted their GP because it was not convenient and the emergency centre was easy to locate.

Laura Hopgood, who took her grandson to the A&E for a football injury, said: "You can't get into the GP unless you call before 8.30am... and the nearest walk-in centre is in Loughborough which is 10 miles from me."

But Dr Read said:"GPs can arrange urgent x-rays and can deal with simple wounds. Pharmacists can also give useful advice about minor ailments, and there are walk-in centres in Loughborough and Market Harborough.

"Coming to the emergency department with bumps, coughs and colds is a bit like ringing 999 for the police when you see someone dropping a crisp packet in the street."

The Leicester Royal Infirmary is one of the busiest A&E units outside of London with 62,500 patients coming into casualty between April and June 2006.