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This conference will explore the challenges faced by High Intensity Users of A&E as well as the healthcare professionals who support them. While High Intensity Users only account but 11% of A&E attendees, the strain on our already overstretched emergency departments is significant and costly.
We will be exploring the root causes and underlying factors behind frequent users of A&E, including mental health needs, chronic conditions and gaps in community care. We will also examine the broader implications for the NHS in terms of resource allocation, patient outcomes and system-wide efficiency.
“The number of patients frequently attending EDs as a result of unmet health and care needs, or with underlying vulnerabilities is rising. An ED visit is not always beneficial for these patients and may increase heath care anxiety. Frequent attendance to the ED is often a reflection of a system wide deficiency of care for the most vulnerable members of society and this patient group has often been marginalised in the ED and other healthcare settings.”
Royal College of Emergency Medicine, March 2024
“High intensity users were defined as those attending the A&E department five or more times in a year. They often had poor mental health and drink and drug problems or were lonely and isolated. In the first three months of this years, the trust (University Hospitals Sussex NHSFT) said that 11,450 patients were attending for at least the fifth time in the past year. As a result of the work by the British Red Cross (HIU service), A&E attendances by those patients fell 36 per cent, admissions by 26 per cent and ambulance trips to A&E by more than half.”
Brighton & Hove News, July 2024
Benefits of attending. This conference will enable you to:
Network with colleagues who are working to improve High Intensity Use Services in A&E
Discuss the national data and evidence base currently on High Intensity Use Services
Reflect on the lived experience
Understand the impact of High Intensity User Services on Emergency Departments
Implement interventions and services for High Intensity Use
Understand how quality improvement in A&E can support High Intensity Users
Improving the approach to children, young people and families in High Intensity Use Services
Deliver exceptional quality care for High Intensity Users
Reflect on lessons from a pilot site
Work in innovative ways with multidisciplinary teams in emergency care
Identify key strategies for working outside of traditional ED care
Developing your skills in working with psychiatric liaison teams
Understand social prescribing as a solution to High Intensity GP use
Measure and assess the outcomes and impact of High Intensity Use services
Self assess and reflect on your own practice
Supports CPD professional development and acts as revalidation evidence. This course provides 5hrs training for CPD subject to peer group approval for revalidation
