999 calls shows need for reform
Tuesday, 03 November, 2009
New figures out last month from the Department of Health show major reforms are needed in urgent and emergency
services, according to the Ambulance Service Network.
The research on increasing demand
for ambulance services suggests many patients who ring 999 could be treated in the community or at home, instead of being
taken to hospital. This would not only be better for patients but more efficient for taxpayers - a key issue as the NHS seeks to make up to £20 billion of savings
over the next 5 years.
The first Ambulance Service Network Conference showed how ambulance services are ready to meet the challenge of
improving the quality and productivity
of NHS care. Ambulance Service Network director Liz Kendall said: "Ambulance Services received over 7 million 999 calls last year.
The number of calls is increasing by around 6.5% annually - that's 300,000 more patients every year. Many of these patients are older people who have fallen and patients with chronic conditions who could be better cared for in the community or at home.
"The system isn't working as well as it should and ambulance services are determined to work with other parts of the NHS to improve it. We need to make it
simpler and easier for patients to
access care and provide a range of services - including GPs, community
nurses, mental health services, fall teams and paramedics - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
"The evidence shows that preventing
people from reaching a crisis in the first place, and treating more patients in the community or at home, is better for patients and the taxpayer. Urgent
and emergency care is exactly the sort of system-wide issue the NHS needs to look at if it is to deliver the savings it needs to weather the squeeze in public
sector funding."
The Network welcomes the consultation for the creation of a new urgent care number - 111 - to sit alongside 999, and a range of emergency and urgent care services available 24/7. This will help make it easier for patients to access care - especially out of hours - and get the
most appropriate treatment for their needs.
The conference also showed how ambulance services are working with other NHS services to help prepare for pandemic
flu, prevent emergencies and deliver
more joined up care, including for older people who have had a fall and patients with mental health problems.
