Trust cuts A&E frequent user attendances by 58%

A new service has resulted in a 58% drop in frequent user attendances of A&E.

Pictured (left to right): Neil Thomas – high intensity use service manager, Katie Hurford – high intensity use service support manager (c) Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Pictured (left to right): Neil Thomas – high intensity use service manager, Katie Hurford – high intensity use service support manager (c) Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

The high intensity use (HIU) service was set up by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust in August 2023 to monitor and support patients who frequently attend A&E.

Neil Thomas, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust's high intensity use service lead, explained: ‘A very small percentage of patients account for 16% of all emergency department attendances in Somerset, as well as 26% of hospital admissions, and 29% of those brought to hospital by ambulance.

‘Our service is helping us to identify those people who are our top attenders, so we can find out about their unmet needs in the community, and what we're not getting right for them.'

The service resulted in a 58% drop in A&E attendance by the patient cohort in the first nine months.

Since its launch, the service has supported 141 people, who previously had 1,963 A&E attendances between them. Following the HIU service's involvement, their attendances fell to 1,189 – a reduction of 48% across all ages, well above the 20-40% reduction target set by the national standard (NHS Right Care).

Government sets out new cyber laws to protect public services

Government sets out new cyber laws to protect public services

By Liz Wells 01 April 2025

The government has set out the scope of its Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, which will introduce new cyber laws to protect public services and safeguard ...

Digital care model could save NHS over £360m annually, whitepaper shows

By Liz Wells 01 April 2025

A digitally-enabled model of care in care homes could improve outcomes, reduce hospital admissions, and save the NHS more than £360m annually, new research r...

Mental health service rated good by CQC

By Lee Peart 01 April 2025

A mental health service at St James’ Hospital in Portsmouth has been rated good by the CQC.


Popular articles by Lee Peart