Research by home-testing kit-makers Newfoundland Diagnostics found millions have avoided seeing their GPs, with top reasons including the lack of available appointments (28 percent) and being embarrassed about an illness (15 percent).
Other reasons include not having time when busy with work or caring for a family (10 percent), and even a lack of trust in the NHS or their local doctor (seven percent).
“By empowering people to routinely monitor their health and identify issues early, we can significantly reduce unnecessary GP and A&E visits for conditions that could be caught sooner through self-testing.”
Dr Hilary believes self-testing can help overcome the barriers preventing people from seeking medical care, adding: “This frees up critical medical resources for those most in need of urgent care.
“They can take that first step through self-testing in their own home before deciding if they truly need to book an in-person visit.
“The key is getting the nation to adopt self-testing as that first step. Self-tests provide patients with key diagnostic information they can then share with their doctor for more informed, effective treatment plans.
When it comes to trust, those in Cardiff are most likely to lack trust in the NHS or their GP (22 percent), followed by Londoners (17 percent) and Mancunians (14 percent).
The research also highlights a concerning knowledge gap surrounding healthcare access and options.
More than a quarter of Brits (27 percent) believe that at-home tests can only be prescribed by a medical professional, despite their widespread availability in major supermarkets and pharmacies.
The lack of available GP appointments has led to a concerning trend, with a 2014 report highlighting how one in four Britons had resorted to visiting their local hospital A&E instead.
Government data claims patients spending over four hours in major A&E departments reached a record high of 50.4 per cent in December 2022 – the first month where over half faced such excessive delays.
Frederick Manduca, co-founder of Newfoundland Diagnostics, said: “It’s surprising how many across the country believe that at-home testing is inaccessible despite their ubiquity during the pandemic.
“We’re honoured to have Dr Hilary lending his trusted voice and medical expertise to drive awareness about our easy-to-use, affordable at-home tests.
“His advisory role will be invaluable in empowering the nation to embrace these tests as a pathway to accessible healthcare. Early identification can be life-saving.”