One in five visits to GPs "unnecessary"

"There are real advantages for everyone if we can encourage people to take greater control of the management of their minor ailments. Self care does not mean no care. It means giving people the tools to make an informed choice," he said.

The Patients Association disagreed.

"Of course patients should be responsible about their health services, but so should every clinician being paid from the public purse," said a spokeswoman.

"Every primary care contractor has a way to go on 'joining up' the NHS for their patients before they start blaming the customer," she added.

The report has called on the government to fund a social marketing campaign to educate the public on how to "understand and manage minor ailments."

Its authors have also called on schools to educate children on the importance of self-care.

(Editing by Steve Addison)