article_snippet.sent: The shambolic situation is responsible for as many as a quarter of A&E visits, the researchers say.
article_snippet.sent: And surgeries where patients were able to see a GP within two week days had lower rates of A&E department visits.
article_snippet.sent: Other research has suggested that greater access to GP surgeries is linked with lower rates of emergency admissions for conditions such as heart failure and stroke.
article_snippet.sent: The figures come just a day after The figures  was revealed one in five visits to A&E are unnecessary.
article_snippet.sent: Researchers have calculated that more than 4 million visits a year are unnecessary – costing the NHS £290 million.
article_snippet.sent: The analysis of data from 15 A&E units by consultancy firm IMS Health covered one in ten A&E units across England, so if the trends are mirrored across the country, then an estimated 4.1million of the 21.7million visits last year were for minor ailments.
article_snippet.sent: Many go to A&E in the knowledge that they will at least be seen by a doctor that day, even if they have to wait four hours.
article_snippet.sent: Effect: The situation is responsible for as many as a quarter of A&E visits, the researchers say.
highlights_snippet.sent: Situation is responsible for a quarter of A&E visits, say researchers .
  