NHS needs simpler urgent care system, review finds
The outcomes of this report are particularly worrying for rural dwellers. We have more need based on our demography and are more challenged in accessing services by remoteness. All of which makes me think about the importance of authorities getting effectively to grips with the new health and well-being agenda. The story here tells us:
Patients in England make at least 100 million calls or visits to NHS urgent care facilities every year, representing around one third of the health service’s activity and more than half the annual costs.
The review, led by Sir Bruce, found that growing numbers of frail, elderly patients and more treatable illnesses were contributing to “ever greater” pressure on the health and social care systems.
However, the confusing and fragmented organisation of different services was adding to pressure throughout the service, the report said.
“Better integration and communication between these services could reduce unnecessary attendances at A&E and enable people in hospital to return home sooner,” Sir Bruce said in a foreword to the report.
“This in turn could free up hospital beds so patients who need admission from A&E would not be kept waiting so long.”
The study comes amid a crisis in A&E services, with reports of ambulances turned away from hospitals that are full and some patients left waiting for more than 12 hours before being seen.
The Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has warned that cold winters and bank holiday weekends can put emergency care under intolerable pressure.
Nick Payne at RSN is leading our work with the Health Community and it is worth contacting him if you would like to know more about the powerful head of steam he is building up.