A&E usage down 40%

[rabbitsnose]

Apart from the people in need that are maybe staying away because they're scared of catching coronavirus, doesn't this prove that A&E has been used in the past by people who didn't really need to be there?

Potentially.....

But hopefully there will be fewer RTAs, stabbings, other violent injuries, alcohol related injuries etc at the moment which will also contribute to the reduction

I think the lack of Friday and Saturday drinking injuries must play a huge part. Plus all those sporting injuries. When i had to take DS to A&E last year, it was full of football /rugby accidents.

Yes I saw this on the news just now too. I think part of the reason is that it's impossible to get through to 111, who often tell people to go to A&E or send an ambulance when perhaps not entirely necessary.

I think that a lot of people are in A and E because of over-drinking in pubs, and fights and accidents coming from that, and of course accidents at work and car accidents.
I was in A and E the other day. There was only 1 other person in the "queue" before I was seen. The wards were half empty. Don't know what it's like usually though.

There's also concern that people who should be going to A and E, eg for suspected heart attacks, are not doing so at the moment.

I think there are quite a lot of good reasons it's lower than usual, but I know doctors are very concerned that they are seeing lower numbers of e.g. heart attacks, and other people coming in with things that needed to be seen days or weeks earlier, because they were worried about CV.

So yes, I'm sure it's weeded out some of the time-wasting, but I don't think that's the main factor.

doesn't this prove that A&E has been used in the past by people who didn't really need to be there?

Not at all. People are scared to go, there’s no sports injuries or drunken injuries.

Well yes, maybe. But also:

No sporting injuries
No one getting drunk and falling over.
Fewer RTA’s

A lot of people are being directed to other services rather than A&E. My dad has a health condition that often results in him being sent to A&E when he is stabilised and then moved to the ward. When shielding and self-isolation began his consultant's secretary rang him and told him that he has to contact the ward directly and will be stabilised there instead of at A&E. From friends in similar situations I know a lot of them have had the same sort of instruction.

There are also people who should be attending A&E but are avoiding going, such as the poster yesterday who has been having a gallbladder attack since Monday and was avoiding going to A&E. The NHS themselves have issued official reminders to parents about seeking medical help for their children as people are avoiding it.

Schools, parks, clubs/activities, softplay centres, etc are closed so there are no injuries relating to those.

Pubs are closed so fewer alcohol related injuries. People are still drinking at home but with a finite supply, less opportunities for harm (e.g., dancing in tables), and less opportunity to get into fights.

The sale of illegal drugs has slowed down so less drug related illnesses and injuries.

Fewer cars on the roads so less injuries relating to road traffic accidents, both pedestrians and drivers.

Lots of people either furloughed or working from home so fewer workplace injuries.

It's a combination of factors not solely related to time wasters staying at home.

Or possibly that the football/rugby injuries aren’t happening because no group sports, no drunks falling over because pubs are shut, fewer car accidents because people are working from home etc.

And the anxious people who usually go to A&E at the drop of a hat, are still anxious but are staying away.

No, it doesn't prove that whatsoever.
For all the reasons detailed above.

doesn't this prove that A&E has been used in the past by people who didn't really need to be there?

No. Lots of activities that cause injuries have been cancelled. People are scared to go to A&E when they should. Oh, and someone on here suggested looking for a vet on Facebook for a child with burnt fingers.

while lack of sport and less traffic means fewer injuries, we all know that A and E is much busier on a Saturday night. People do not get sick according to the days of the week. We also know that hospitals without an A and E have a much better 'feel' because there are no drunks.

It is the UK's 'ok to get really pissed' culture, and that needs to change to be that of other countries where drunkeness is exacerbation, not mitigation.

So many people in a&e ftom drinking and drunken related activities. Lack of group binge drinking and clubbing and pubbing clearly has an impact.
Real accidents and emergencies will ho to hospital regardless but there are definitely, a considerable portion of people there who shouldnt be.

My DS has a chronic lung condition and has had numerous hospital admissions via A&E. I am always astounded by how many people are in A&E with children that have issues that could clearly be dealt with by a gp, pharmacist or just at home. I think as a nation we have started to rely on A&E as an equivalent to a GP visit when a GP appointment can't be given immediately.

While yes people who should be using A&E aren’t we can’t deny that a lot of A&E admissions are due to drink and drugs.

The home is one of the most dangerous places, in terms of number of accidents. Presumably those numbers are largely unchanged?

**
My DS has a chronic lung condition and has had numerous hospital admissions via A&E. I am always astounded by how many people are in A&E with children that have issues that could clearly be dealt with by a gp, pharmacist or just at home. I think as a nation we have started to rely on A&E as an equivalent to a GP visit when a GP appointment can't be given immediately.**

Why is your DS chronic condition being dealt with by A&E? I think that is a huge problem too - chronic conditions need non-A&E pathways to consultants.

Yeah it's shock I would think there will be a small % that really should of gone to a and e but stayed away because they are frightened to go in .

It just prove all along one of the reasons the NHS is fuck we abuse it
Imagine a health service were the people who used it
didn't
abuse achol
abuse drugs
take some responsibility for the diet and lifestyle
these would also have an impact the mental health crisis all of the above tie into mental health crime and violence .
Better diets reduce diabetes blood pressure and join problems
smoking and all the health problems that generates
all of the above are choice but instead of blaming the general populace;ation it's easier to point the finger and any government we have in power.
WE ARE THE PROBLEM it's a complexity abused service by people making poor choices taking valuable funds away form people who really need and deserve it

Sports should be banned for the greater good now, or let them set up their own sports injuries places going forward. lol.

Drinking is still going on at home, but not in drinky places in cities and towns anymore. Same for them.

Some clever spark will do an analysis of this. Will be interesting to see the results.

What is it, four/ five weeks now. Something needs to be sorted judging by the stats for A+E.

I am always astounded by how many people are in A&E with children that have issues that could clearly be dealt with by a gp, pharmacist or just at home

Unless you're a doctor or you are present inside the consulting room when the child is being assessed you cannot possibly know the exact ins and outs of why they are there, whether they have been directed there by other services, or whether they could have been dealt with elsewhere.

Aren’t the piss heads still drinking at home though?

I see the point about sports and traffic accidents. And, sadly, about genuinely sick people reluctant to go in.

all of the above are choice

Poor mental health is a choice?

Diabetes is a choice? You know there are two types, don't you?

Drug abuse and alcohol abuse are far more complex than "choice" and saying it's a choice demonstrates your poor understanding of the wider issues involved.

There are many deaths associated to CV but not directly caused by CV. This is purely because people aren’t seeking medical help when necessary because they’re scared they’ll catch CV or don’t want to waste NHS time. Chris Whitty was discussing it in yesterday’s briefing.

Aren’t the piss heads still drinking at home though?

Yes but with a limited supply and limited choice rather than having every imaginable type of drink on tap. At home there are no tables to stand on, no cars to fall in front of, no equally pissed up people to have fights with, no railings to fall off, and so on.