50m GP visits for minor ailments

AN MP yesterday demanded an end to Britain's "culture of dependency", in which millions of visits to the doctor are taken up with minor ailments.

Labour's Dr Howard Stoate called on people to have more confidence in recognising and "self-treating" problems such as headaches, sprains and strains, indigestion and skin problems.

He pointed to a 2007 study by the over-the-counter medicines trade body, the Proprietary Association of Great Britain, which found about 51 million visits to the doctor every year were for minor ailments.

This was leading to greater pressure on GPs, he claimed.