By Adam Brimelow Health correspondent, BBC News common ailments account for nearly one fifth of GPs workload Too many people are going to see their GP with minor problems, such as coughs and colds, a group of doctors and health campaigners says.The report by the "Self-Care Campaign" says common ailments account for nearly one fifth of GPs' workload. It says the cost to the health service across the UK is nearly £2bn a year. The campaign - funded by drugs companies selling over-the-counter medicines - has won backing from doctors, nurses and health charities. The report says many people with minor ailments go to their doctor out of convenience or dependency rather than need, at huge cost to the health service. We need to look at ways of encouraging a change in attitude towards the treatment of minor illnesses so that health care and services are properly directed at those most in need Professor Steve FieldRoyal College of GPs Send us your comments It concludes that this is unsustainable.[Read more...]