\u2018The Times\u2019 has today revealed statistics suggesting that one million people per year may attend A&E needlessly due to inaccurate advice from the NHS non-emergency advice number, 111. <\/p>\n
It further suggested that some ambulance workers were taking patients to A&E without need, in order to \u2018cover their own back\u2019.<\/p>\n
The data was analysed by Suzanne Moore, professor of emergency medicine at Sheffield University, who assessed details of over one million A&E visits at 19 hospitals, finding that \u2018a fifth of adults had no need for tests, treatment or referral\u2019.<\/p>\n
We have previously mentioned in this blog that 60,000 people are thought to have waited in A&E departments last January. It would now seem possible that up to 20% of those people \u2013 12,000 people – did not, in fact, need to be there at all.<\/p>\n
The problem seems to stem from a shortage of staff or a lack of training, leading to inaccurate advice being given or patient lack of confidence in the advice they are being given.<\/p>\n
It has also been suggested that the problem may be exacerbated by the increasing unavailability of GPs and out-of-hours services.<\/p>\n
However, it was also pointed out, by Mark Dayan of the Nuffield Trust, that, if 111 did not exist as a service at all, even higher numbers would probably be attending A&E unnecessarily as some people probably were dissuaded from attending A&E after receiving advice from the non-emergency number.<\/p>\n
Speak with a solicitor<\/p>\n
If you have been the victim of poor medical care, contact Glynns Solicitors to discuss your case with a solicitor experienced in handling medical negligence cases.<\/p>\n
Please call us on 0800 234 3300<\/a> (or from a mobile 01275 334030<\/strong><\/a>) or complete our Online Enquiry Form<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n
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