Huge increase in people going to A&E with back pain, earache and even hiccups

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Pressure on urgent and emergency care services including A&E departments is only likely to intensify in winter, regularly the toughest and busiest time of year for the NHS. It is essential that action is taken that helps restore the confidence of patients and staff over the next few months.” open image in gallery Professor Julian Redhead, national clinical director for urgent and emergency care for NHS England, said: “We are seeing record levels of demand at our A&Es and while hospitals are already working close to capacity as we move into winter, it is important that the public plays their part by following NHS advice – only using emergency services for serious injuries or life-threatening emergencies. “NHS 111 online and the NHS website can give you advice on how to treat yourself at home, or direct you to the most appropriate NHS service for things like headaches and a sore throat, while calling NHS 111 should be your first port of call for any other pressing conditions – which could mean you are seen quicker and in the right place, while allowing our emergency care staff to support those who need it most.” The figures come as some health commentators warned hospitals are running “red hot”, with some predicting winter could be “one of the worst the NHS has faced”. Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of the NHS in England, said: “Patient safety must be paramount.” Meanwhile, the data show that emergency departments are also dealing with a large number of delicate complaints such as fainting while urinating, fractured penises and people being unable to remove a “foreign object” from an intimate area.