'Minor' ailment patients barred

Casualty departments will carefully check all the new arrivals

A surge of walk-in patients at Leeds hospitals' casualty departments has resulted in NHS officials turning some people away.

Now anyone with minor ailments who go to the city's two principal hospitals, St James's or the General Infirmary, will be sent to their GP.

On arrival at the accident and emergency departments at both hospitals all patients will be screened.

Those who complain of the likes of sore throats or flu will be redirected.

NHS managers in the city have taken the step in an attempt to change patient behaviour.

Convenient alternative

According to NHS studies some patients view the city's accident and emergency departments as a convenient alternative to their own doctor.

Over the past six months both hospitals have seen an increase in the number of people walking into hospitals complaining of minor ailments.

On some days, claim NHS managers, the numbers of patients with colds, 'flu, earache or sore throats has accounted for an increase of 25% attending casualty departments.