Younger people far more likely than older generations to visit A&E with non-urgent medical issues

Young people are far more likely than older generations to visit A&E with non-urgent medical issues such as headaches, cuts and even acne, new data shows.

Almost a quarter of 25 to 34-year-olds admitted to trying to get a doctors appointment for a self-treatable condition, according to research by consumer healthcare association PAGB. 

Of the over 65 age bracket, just nine per cent reported doing the same.

Experts say the ‘worrying trend’ may be the result of social media advice – or that young people don’t ask older relatives for help.

Around eight per cent of those surveyed admitted to seeking hospital care for sprains or strains. Five per cent said they had gone to A&E for acne.

Around eight per cent of those surveyed admitted to seeking hospital care for sprains or strains. Five per cent said they had gone to A&E for acne (Stock image)

PAGB CEO Michelle Riddalls called the ‘automatic-pilot reliance’ on doctors among the younger generation ‘worrying’.

‘In the majority of cases, consumers would have received treatment and diagnosis far more swiftly if they had sought advice from a pharmacist instead attending A&E,’ she said. ‘There is still work to be done to educate consumers on self-care.’

Self-treatable conditions account for at least 25 million GP appointments and five million trips to A&E each year, according to analysts from Frontier Economics.

Better utilisation of pharmacies and online medical support could save the NHS at least £1.7 billion a year in avoidable appointments and prescription costs as a result.

Mark Burdon, pharmacist and advisor to PAGB, said the reliance of younger adults on primary care providers for health advice and treatment may be related to their social media use.

‘Young people see the worst case scenarios of not visiting a doctor about a cut or a UTI on social media and worry it could happen to them,’ he says.

‘Information isn’t handled properly online. In the old days, you would ask older relatives for advice – but it seems TikTok has replaced Granny’s wisdom.’