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NHS 'needs to simplify urgent care' | NHS 'needs to simplify urgent care' |
(35 minutes later) | |
The NHS in England needs to provide a much simpler and co-ordinated system of round-the-clock urgent and emergency care, a review of its services says. | The NHS in England needs to provide a much simpler and co-ordinated system of round-the-clock urgent and emergency care, a review of its services says. |
It also warns that many patients are confused about who to turn to when they need urgent medical help, so too often they go to A&E units. | |
The review - led by NHS medical director Sir Bruce Keogh - says there should be a much simpler 24/7 system. | The review - led by NHS medical director Sir Bruce Keogh - says there should be a much simpler 24/7 system. |
Sir Bruce said the review offered an "excellent opportunity" to improve. | Sir Bruce said the review offered an "excellent opportunity" to improve. |
Urgent or unplanned care leads to around 100m NHS calls or visits each year, the report says. | Urgent or unplanned care leads to around 100m NHS calls or visits each year, the report says. |
A growing number of frail elderly patients, more long-term illnesses, new treatments and "increased public expectations" have all contributed to increased demand. | A growing number of frail elderly patients, more long-term illnesses, new treatments and "increased public expectations" have all contributed to increased demand. |
Sir Bruce was asked to look at the issue by the NHS Commissioning Board. | Sir Bruce was asked to look at the issue by the NHS Commissioning Board. |
A&E 'default' | A&E 'default' |
Concerns have been raised recently about A&E care - deemed to be on a "cliff-edge" by one NHS leader. GP out-of-hours services have also come under scrutiny. | Concerns have been raised recently about A&E care - deemed to be on a "cliff-edge" by one NHS leader. GP out-of-hours services have also come under scrutiny. |
However this review looks at all kinds of urgent and emergency care - including walk-in centres, telephone advice lines and minor injury centres - and concludes there is pressure throughout the system. | However this review looks at all kinds of urgent and emergency care - including walk-in centres, telephone advice lines and minor injury centres - and concludes there is pressure throughout the system. |
A key issue is "fragmentation and variation" in services. | A key issue is "fragmentation and variation" in services. |
This leads to confusion among patients who are then likely to "default" to A&E because they know where it is, that it will be open and offer a full range of care. | This leads to confusion among patients who are then likely to "default" to A&E because they know where it is, that it will be open and offer a full range of care. |
The report says: "The fragmentation and diverse nomenclature of urgent care services across England causes confusion amongst patients and healthcare professionals in terms of services offered. | The report says: "The fragmentation and diverse nomenclature of urgent care services across England causes confusion amongst patients and healthcare professionals in terms of services offered. |
"This can lead to patients presenting at services that may not best suit their needs." | "This can lead to patients presenting at services that may not best suit their needs." |
It adds that there is an increasing reliance on telephone advice. | It adds that there is an increasing reliance on telephone advice. |
But the report warns that some patients "lack confidence" in such care and says they will often seek a second opinion anyway, leading to a "duplication of service provision". | But the report warns that some patients "lack confidence" in such care and says they will often seek a second opinion anyway, leading to a "duplication of service provision". |
Other issues identified include a lack of patient-awareness about the care which community pharmacists can provide, and the need for senior staff to be on duty more of the time, such as at weekends. | Other issues identified include a lack of patient-awareness about the care which community pharmacists can provide, and the need for senior staff to be on duty more of the time, such as at weekends. |
Prof Keith Willett, who is chairing the review's steering group, said: "We know that A&E is the pinch point of the health and care system and that staff are working very hard to provide the care they know the public need. | Prof Keith Willett, who is chairing the review's steering group, said: "We know that A&E is the pinch point of the health and care system and that staff are working very hard to provide the care they know the public need. |
"To relieve the pressure and design a system that is sustainable and fit to meet future challenges, we need as many patients, doctors, nurses and NHS colleagues as possible to get involved." | "To relieve the pressure and design a system that is sustainable and fit to meet future challenges, we need as many patients, doctors, nurses and NHS colleagues as possible to get involved." |
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