It is a well-known fact that Bradford's only accident and emergency unit at the city's Royal Infirmary is an incredibly busy place. But today's shocking revelation that the number of night-time admissions has risen 20 per cent since 1996 is a sobering statistic.

Some of those visiting A&E are in dire need of treatment and increase the waiting times for those with what are perhaps considered less pressing matters.

That in itself creates understandable frustrations, though nothing can excuse any ensuing violence directed towards those medics desperately trying to do their best to cure and repair.

Yet, some of those attending BRI late at night do so without any real justification. Their ailments could quite easily wait until there is a suitable slot to see a GP.

Herein, though, lies another problem. Many GPs themselves are swamped by people attending with minor ailments that often don't need to be treated by doctors. That in turn leads to those with real problems having to wait longer to make an appointment to see their GP. And so the knock-on effect hits the emergency medics hard.

Perhaps we all need to have a little more consideration for others when dealing with our own problems.

If we have a minor ailment that doesn't need a visit to a doctor, then we should be brave, back off and free our GPs to see more needy cases. That in turn would allow those attending casualty to visit their doctor.

And at the end of the line, those busy doctors and nurses in A&E would be free to help those with the greatest need.