Four in ten A&E visitors 'do not need any treatment'

According to the most senior doctor in the NHS, around 40% of people who visit emergency departments simply need reassurance.

17:56 13 November 2013

Prof Sir Bruce Keogh has unveiled plans on how to reduce the number of people going to emergency units while revealing that around 40per cent of individuals who use the facilities aren’t sick but just need an assurance.

As part of the plan, the 111 telephone advice line will play a bigger role. It will be tasked to give callers the direct phone numbers where they can reach pharmacists, nurses, and doctors who will have access to the caller’s medical records.

In addition, Keogh said that at least 100 hospitals will offer reduced level of service with patients suffering from major trauma and strokes driven to further to specialist centres. The major shake-up will also see 70 major emergency centres dealing with only less serious cases.

The professor added that the system is proven to cut death rates by 20per cent and the longer journeys do not put patients at risk.

He also said that the major shakeup is “the only way to create a sustainable solution — and ensure future generations can have peace of mind that, when the unexpected happens, the NHS will still provide a rapid, high quality and responsive service free at the point of need.”