Study Finds Nearly 15% of Emergency Room Visits Are Repeat Patients
Deprivation played a significant role in the frequency of repeat visits to A&E, as individuals from deprived areas were 72 percent more likely to make frequent visits.
A recent study by the British Red Cross revealed that people who make repeated visits to accident and emergency departments make up nearly one-seventh of all A&E visits.
These frequent attendees constitute a small and vulnerable group whose medical needs are consistently unmet by other parts of the healthcare system.
Doctors classified visits by these individuals as urgent at a higher rate (62.7 percent) compared to the control group (52 percent). They were more likely to arrive by emergency ambulance and had visited their GPs before going to A&E.
Deprivation was identified as a key factor in the pattern of repeat visits, with frequent A&E attendees being 72 percent more likely to come from deprived areas.
The Elderly and Mentally Ill
The study also found that around 70 percent of frequent A&E visitors in Dorset fell into two categories: the elderly and individuals aged 20 to 49, particularly young women, with mental health issues.
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One group, Cohort One, consists of individuals over 70 years old with two or more long-term conditions, and 44.5 percent are on the palliative care register.
The other group, Cohort Two, is more closely associated with deprivation and typically experiences issues such as depression, self-harm, substance abuse, and seizures. They are more than twice as likely as the control group to have two or more long-term conditions.
Researchers found that 36 percent of frequent attendances by individuals in Cohort Two necessitated a new mental health referral.
Unresolved Medical Issues
The charity emphasized that people make repeated visits to A&E due to unresolved medical issues and unmet non-clinical needs.
As part of the British Red Cross’s research, case studies were presented where frequent A&E users described their struggles with anonymized identities.
Some individuals expressed disappointment with other services they accessed, such as social services and GP practices.
“John,” aged 20-29, living in supported accommodation, has multiple long-term conditions and mental health issues. He reported difficulties accessing adequate healthcare and turned to A&E for help with physical and mental health issues.
The report highlighted that “John’s interactions with his GP and social worker have been frustrating and disappointing, leaving him feeling unheard and dismissed.”
A nurse uses a wireless electronic tablet to order medicines from the pharmacy at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
“Emma,” aged 30-39, has dealt with chronic pain for two decades and has multiple long-term conditions. Her experience with primary care has been turbulent, with her former GP being reluctant to prescribe strong painkillers, leading to her being banned from the GP’s surgery and resorting to A&E instead.
Reforming the NHS
The charity suggests that this regional study can help other NHS Trusts better understand their healthcare system’s pressures.
Béatrice Butsana-Sita, CEO of the British Red Cross, stated: “Our Red Cross teams work closely with the NHS nationwide and witness individuals facing various challenges affecting their health and well-being, from isolation to inadequate housing.”
She added, “As the government works on a new plan to transform the NHS, this research underscores the urgency of addressing underlying causes of ill health, enhancing community services, and optimizing A&E services for high-intensity use.”
This approach aims to ensure appropriate support is available to individuals before they reach a crisis point, focusing on preventive care, improved community healthcare access, and meeting the needs of an aging population.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, launching the consultation, emphasized the importance of hearing from NHS service users to shape a plan that prioritizes patient needs and delivers quality care.
