Many people have become so dependent on the British National Health Service they do not know how to look after their own minor ailments, GPs warned yesterday.
Coughs and colds and other minor problems take up about 20 per cent of GP time, according to the new Self Care Campaign.
The campaign includes prominent GPs such as Dr Michael Dixon, of Devon, and Dr Simon Fradd, of Nottingham, along with Dr Ian Banks of the Men’s Health Forum.
They are also backed by Sara Richards, a former vice-chair of the Practice Nurse Association.
Yesterday it called for politicians to do more to promote self-care to the public.
According to the campaign, minor ailments are costing the NHS some two billion pounds a year.
Dr Paul Stillman, from Crawley, Sussex, said: "There are real advantages for everyone if we can encourage people to take greater control over the management of their minor ailments.
"This represents a win-win for all – there will be a reduction in the use of prescriptions and antibiotics, GPs can spend more time on complex consultations and patients can treat themselves without delay and the NHS will save billions that can be put to more appropriate use/reinvested in the service.
"Self care does not mean no care – it means giving people the tools to make an informed choice, which is why we are issuing this important manifesto."
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