JEDDAH: A whopping 67 percent of people who seek help at the emergency units of hospitals do not need urgent attention, says a study.

The research, published by a local publication on Friday, found that these people are only likely to delay others from getting treatment. Only 24 percent required urgent medical intervention.

In addition, over 50 percent thought that the medical staff were unfriendly and tactless. However, 70 percent expressed satisfaction about waiting areas and access to parking.

Fares Al-Hamzani, a consultant in health services management, said that researchers interviewed 544 people. The study revealed that only 2.79 percent of people were happy about services at emergency units, which was often the first place of contact for the public.

Al-Hamzani urged the government to increase the number of primary health centers in some areas.

He also said that a board should be set up to monitor the way patients view services, so that it could improve on them.