One in five visits to accident and emergency units are unnecessary and cost the NHS £290 million a year, shows new research from the PAGB. The study, which was conducted by IMS Health, discovered that over 3.6 million visits to A&E each year are made by people suffering from minor ailments, such as coughs, flu and muscular pain, which could have been effectively managed at home or with self care advice from a pharmacy.

The research coincides with the publication of the PAGB’s ‘manifesto for self care’ which outlines ways for the NHS to relieve pressures on GPs and A&E departments, including implementing high profile national awareness campaigns on when and how to self treat, providing consistent advice on where to access the right care and improving health literacy in children. Matthew Spears, PAGB chief executive, said: “Self care is about empowering people to look after themselves and use the NHS in the most effective and efficient way. It is vital that the NHS raises awareness of the range of different services available to people and when to access them appropriately.”