LATELY you can’t shake the feeling that, whenever you fall ill, in a minor or catastrophic way, it’s a massive inconvenience to all concerned.

Or maybe that’s a little harsh, as our hard-pressed accident and emergency services issue another firm-but-fair appeal for the great unwashed to not bother them unnecessarily.

Perfectly sensible logic – casualty at Warrington Hospital should only be deployed for serious or life-threatening afflictions.

No arguments there.

But why does this issue recur month after month, year after year?

Is there a tendency to find GP surgeries inaccessible still, despite the extremely laudable efforts to open up doctors’ practices at times when the population might actually be able to visit, during evenings and weekends.

Because otherwise everyone knows that a Mystic Meg-style premonition you’re going to be poorly is crucial when trying to secure that all-important appointment when the health centre switchboard fires up first thing.

Pharmacists are another key weapon in the fight against overcrowded A&Es, we’re regularly told.

Again eminently sensible advice at first blush.

But with respect to the profession (and their undoubted expertise regarding less serious ailments) they remain business folk.

I’m positive they can recommend the right medication for my cough, cold or sniffle.

However it’s asking a little much if you expect them to point out the same balm or linctus is substantially cheaper at the discount store down the road.

Patients are also pointed towards the twin wonders of the 111 telephone advice facility and the NHS Choices website, as ports of call in a medical crisis.

For someone who doesn’t trust even internet or telephone banking, and would rather endure a slow and agonising death than relay personal medical details to a disembodied voice in a call centre, you might appreciate why there are problems there too.

If I need to explain the demerits of travelling to the urgent care centre at Halton Hospital when you’re crook, I’ve been totalling wasting my time here for the past three-and-a-bit years.

Clinical commissioners have a tough job managing this issue but part of the battle must revolve around attitude and application.

An attempt to persuade people you wouldn’t much rather kick them back out on the street, if they darken your A&E door, and improved GP opening hours, could help to bridge the trust gap.