Football fans have been urged to use A&E as normal during the World Cup rather than waiting until the final whistle to seek help. NHS analysis of emergency department data found there were almost 17,000 fewer attendances than expected during England’s Euro 2024 matches.
England’s group-stage opener against Serbia saw the biggest fall, with 8.8% fewer patients visiting A&E than the six-week average. The quarter-final against Switzerland (5.9%) and the final against Spain (5.7%) also saw significant declines.
These lulls were followed by a spike in demand with hundreds more patients seeking help in the eight hours after each game, as fans split out of bars and watch parties.
The surge was driven in part by a roughly 10% increase in trauma and musculoskeletal attendances, consistent with falls, assaults, and other injuries.
Emma Rowland, NHS England’s national clinical lead for urgent and emergency care, said: “We know that the World Cup is a highlight in any football fan’s calendar, but even the most die-hard supporter needs to ensure they put their health first and seek emergency treatment when they need it.
“The NHS will be available as it always is throughout the next 32 days of football action — including through extra time, penalties and beyond. So if you need care, please don’t hold off coming forward.”
Attendances fell more sharply when England played on weekends than in midweek fixtures.
The biggest drop was in the hour before the start of the game, when services experienced an 11% fall in attendances.
The 17,000 fewer attendances recorded during Euro 2024 is equivalent to around a quarter of the capacity of the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, where England kicks off its World Cup campaign on Wednesday.
Ms Rowland added: “Use NHS services as you would normally, dial 999 in an emergency and otherwise use 111 or 111 online for your healthcare needs.
“Please enjoy the tournament — but not in a way that turns a great night watching England into an unnecessary trip to A&E.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
