This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/8569173.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| GPs 'overrun with minor ailments' | GPs 'overrun with minor ailments' |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Too many people are going to see their GP with minor problems, such as coughs and colds, a group of doctors and health campaigners says. | Too many people are going to see their GP with minor problems, such as coughs and colds, a group of doctors and health campaigners says. |
| The report by the "Self-Care Campaign" says common ailments account for nearly one fifth of GPs' workload. | The report by the "Self-Care Campaign" says common ailments account for nearly one fifth of GPs' workload. |
| It says the cost to the health service across the UK is nearly £2bn a year. | |
| The campaign - funded by drugs companies selling over-the-counter medicines - has won backing from doctors, nurses and health charities. | The campaign - funded by drugs companies selling over-the-counter medicines - has won backing from doctors, nurses and health charities. |
| The report says many people with minor ailments go to their doctor out of convenience or dependency rather than need, at huge cost to the health service. | The report says many people with minor ailments go to their doctor out of convenience or dependency rather than need, at huge cost to the health service. |
| 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 Professor Steve FieldRoyal College of GPs | 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 Professor Steve FieldRoyal College of GPs |
| It concludes that this is unsustainable. | It concludes that this is unsustainable. |
| However it adds: "This does not mean denying treatment to those who are sick but making sure that people receive the services they actually need." | However it adds: "This does not mean denying treatment to those who are sick but making sure that people receive the services they actually need." |
| Drawing on research funded by the Proprietary Association of Great Britain - which speaks for manufacturers of over-the-counter medicines and food supplements in the UK - the report says more there are more than 50 million consultations every year that are solely for "minor" ailments. | Drawing on research funded by the Proprietary Association of Great Britain - which speaks for manufacturers of over-the-counter medicines and food supplements in the UK - the report says more there are more than 50 million consultations every year that are solely for "minor" ailments. |
| These include back pain, dermatitis, nasal congestion and coughs. | These include back pain, dermatitis, nasal congestion and coughs. |
| FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | |
| The campaign urges all political parties to act on its recommendations. | The campaign urges all political parties to act on its recommendations. |
| These include training for doctors and nurses on how to help people to treat themselves, and public information campaigns on how to manage minor ailments. | These include training for doctors and nurses on how to help people to treat themselves, and public information campaigns on how to manage minor ailments. |
| The report suggests tackling this problem could save the NHS £10bn over the next five years, without any cuts to services. | The report suggests tackling this problem could save the NHS £10bn over the next five years, without any cuts to services. |
| Support | Support |
| The British Medical Association and the Royal College of GPs (RCGP) say they support the move towards more self-care. | The British Medical Association and the Royal College of GPs (RCGP) say 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. | 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." | "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." |
| Katherine Murphy, from the Patients Association, said: "This whole question is about responsibility. Of course patients should be responsible about their health services, but so should every clinician being paid from the public purse. | Katherine Murphy, from the Patients Association, said: "This whole question is about responsibility. Of course patients should be responsible about their health services, but so should every clinician being paid from the public purse. |
| "It is part of their professional duty to ensure that their patients are accurately informed about what they should do and when, about aspects of their health. | "It is part of their professional duty to ensure that their patients are accurately informed about what they should do and when, about aspects of their health. |
| "Above all patients should be able to rely on timely access to a clinician when they are sick or worried sick. Every primary care contractor has a way to go on joining up the NHS for their patients before they start blaming the customer. We need to get this balance right." | "Above all patients should be able to rely on timely access to a clinician when they are sick or worried sick. Every primary care contractor has a way to go on joining up the NHS for their patients before they start blaming the customer. We need to get this balance right." |
| Do you think too many people are going to their doctor with minor ailments? You can send us your views and experiences using the form below: | Do you think too many people are going to their doctor with minor ailments? You can send us your views and experiences using the form below: |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |