A health board says two out of three people who walk into A&E could be treated elsewhere.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) revealed that from April to October 2025, 63 per cent of self-presentations to emergency departments did not require emergency care.
Of the 31,483 patients who arrived without a clinical referral, 20,215 had conditions that could have been managed at home or in the community.
The health board stressed that these conditions are usually best managed at home, in pharmacies, at GP surgeries, or at minor injury units.
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NHSGGC is urging the public to use its ‘ABC’ approach before heading to A&E:
- Ask yourself if the issue can be treated at home using resources like the NHS inform website or NHS 24 Online app.
- Be aware that alternative healthcare options are available, including GPs, pharmacies, dentists, and opticians.
- Call 111 if the situation is urgent or if you are unsure which service to use
Dr Claire Harrow, deputy medical director for acute services at NHSGGC, said: "Every day, dozens of people are coming to A&E with conditions that could be managed safely and more quickly elsewhere.
"This not only means longer waits for them but can also risks delays for those with life-threatening emergencies.
"Unless you have a serious injury or your condition is life-threatening, A&E is not the best place to go.
"If you don’t need to be there, you may be redirected elsewhere.
"There are quicker ways to access the care you need.
"These include treating from home using the NHS inform website or NHS 24 Online app, visiting your local pharmacy, booking a GP appointment, or calling NHS 24 on 111."
The most frequent non-urgent cases seen at A&E include: sprain and strain of ankle, knee, wrist, or foot; superficial injury of the head; open wound of finger(s) without damage to nail; low back pain; urinary tract, viral or acute upper respiratory infections; diarrhoea and gastroenteritis; closed fracture of the lower end radius or finger; and nausea and vomiting.
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