大象传媒

Chair of the Royal College of GPs Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard tells Radio 4's the World at One that if 5% of people paused before picking up the phone, it could free up 50,000 appointments.

This comes after the Royal College says the public should take three steps to try to solve a health problem before seeing their GP: either sort it themselves, see a pharmacist or use a reputable online source of information.

(Image: Person wearing a stethoscope, credit: PA)