Do you really need the Emergency Department?

News Release
06/02/2012

More than half of the attendances at Emergency Departments across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in 2010/11 were discharged, either with GP follow-up or no follow-up required at all.

This equates to 251,608 attendances from a total number of 441,939 throughout Southampton, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth - or 56.9%. This percentage is marginally lower than the figure for England (57.4%).

Dr Stuart Ward, clinical director for the Southampton, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Portsmouth PCT Cluster, said the number of discharges not requiring further treatment at all - 169,247 (38%) - was telling.

He said: “It indicates to me that a significant proportion of attendances at Emergency Departments are not suitable for emergency treatment, and those people should have considered using one of a number of alternatives available to them.

“NHS Direct, community pharmacies or minor injury units are all staffed by healthcare professionals who are able to offer advice and treatment on a range of ailments, from minor fractures, cuts, sprains and strains, to emergency contraception.

“The Emergency Department at your hospital should be used only for emergencies - when you’re very badly hurt or if you become suddenly and seriously ill. This ensures that those who need urgent help the most are able to get it without delay.”

If you need advice on where best to go when you feel unwell or are injured, check the following websites:

• NHS Southampton City - http://www.southamptonhealth.nhs.uk/treatment/

• NHS Hampshire - http://www.hampshire.nhs.uk/local-services/choose-well

• NHS Isle of Wight - http://www.iow.nhs.uk/index.asp?record=627

• NHS Portsmouth - http://www.portsmouth.nhs.uk/Your-Health/Choosewell

Notes for editors

See tables below for a breakdown of Emergency Department attendances in 2010/11 for the SHIP PCT Cluster and individual PCTs.

Total Accident And Emergency Attendances for 2010-2011 for the SHIP PCT CLUSTER by Attendance Disposal

A&E Attendances	Attendance Disposal Description
169,247	Discharged
96,346	Admitted
82,361	Discharged to GP
26,628	Referred to Fracture Clinic
16,231	Referred to A&E Clinic
14,773	Referred to other Out-Patient Clinic
13,399	Left Department before being treated
10,092	Other
7,650	Referred to other health care professional
3,825	Transferred
796	Died in Department
591	Left Department having refused treatment
441,939

Total Accident And Emergency Attendances for 2010-2011 for NHS SOUTHAMPTON CITY by Attendance Disposal

A&E Attendances	Attendance Disposal Description
23,186	Discharged
14,120	Discharged to GP
12,322	Admitted
3,468	Referred to A&E Clinic
3,343	Left Department before being treated
3,276	Referred to Fracture Clinic
2,502	Referred to other Out-Patient Clinic
1,303	Other
1,187	Referred to other health care professional
293	Transferred
176	Left Department having refused treatment
103	Died in Department
65,279

Total Accident And Emergency Attendances for 2010-2011 for NHS HAMPSHIRE by Attendance Disposal

A&E Attendances	Attendance Disposal Description
112,294	Discharged
64,569	Admitted
60,533	Discharged to GP
18,413	Referred to Fracture Clinic
10,411	Referred to A&E Clinic
10,057	Referred to other Out-Patient Clinic
8,431	Other
7,674	Left Department before being treated
5,005	Referred to other health care professional
3,156	Transferred
521	Died in Department
324	Left Department having refused treatment
301,388

Total Accident And Emergency Attendances for 2010-2011 for NHS ISLE OF WIGHT by Attendance Disposal

A&E Attendances	Attendance Disposal Description
18,003	Discharged
7,042	Admitted
3,647	Discharged to GP
2,985	Referred to Fracture Clinic
1,615	Referred to A&E Clinic
1,352	Referred to other health care professional
1,211	Referred to other Out-Patient Clinic
561	Left Department before being treated
202	Other
112	Transferred
70	Died in Department
62	Left Department having refused treatment
36,862

Total Accident And Emergency Attendances for 2010-2011 for NHS PORTSMOUTH by Attendance Disposal

A&E Attendances	Attendance Disposal Description
15,764	Discharged
12,413	Admitted
4,061	Discharged to GP
1,954	Referred to Fracture Clinic
1,821	Left Department before being treated
1,003	Referred to other Out-Patient Clinic
737	Referred to A&E Clinic
264	Transferred
156	Other
106	Referred to other health care professional
102	Died in Department
29	Left Department having refused treatment
38,410