Newly released figures from NHS England have laid bare the scale of pressure on hospital emergency departments, revealing a five-year trend of rising attendances for a host of common medical complaints.
Five-Year Trend Shows Consistent Increases
The data, published on Wednesday 31 December 2025, covers Accident & Emergency attendances across England from the financial year 2020/21 through to 2024/25. It provides a detailed snapshot of the ailments driving millions of visits to A&E departments nationwide.
Analysis of the statistics reveals that many common complaints have seen a steady climb in numbers over the entire period. Conditions such as abdominal pain and backache have shown a particularly consistent upward trajectory, indicating growing reliance on emergency services for these issues.
Most Common Complaints in 2024/25
For the most recent financial year, 2024/2025, the data pinpoints the most frequent reasons for an A&E visit. The list is dominated by familiar complaints, with abdominal pain, chest pain, cough, headache, backache and vomiting ranking as the most common.
While other conditions like chest pain and headaches also experienced general increases over the five-year window, the figures show some experienced minor fluctuations or even slight decreases in the latest recorded year. This nuanced picture suggests varying pressures on services for different types of ailments.
What the Data Means for the NHS
The publication of this comprehensive dataset offers crucial insight for health service planners and policymakers. The consistent rise in attendances for complaints that could often be managed in primary care settings highlights the ongoing strain on A&E departments and raises questions about patient access to alternative services.
Understanding these trends is vital for resource allocation and future NHS strategy, as the health service continues to navigate high demand and operational challenges. The full breakdown of numbers for each common ailment provides a clear evidence base for these critical decisions.
