Projecting the effect of easing societal restrictions on non-COVID-19 emergency demand in the UK

Projecting the effect of easing societal restrictions on non-COVID-19 emergency demand in the UK: Statistical inference using public mobility data. 

Int J Health Plann Manage. 2021 Jul 1. doi: 10.1002/hpm.3265. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34212400.

• A study using activity data for A&E attendances and emergency admissions for all hospitals within the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire healthcare system were regressed upon publicly available mobility data obtained from Google's Community Mobility Reports for the local area. The models were used to predict non-COVID-19 emergency demand under the UK Government's plan to sequentially lift all restrictions. 
• The study concludes that non-COVID-19 emergency demand associates with the level of societal restrictions, with rates of public mobility representing a key determinant.

People share what a good A&E experience looks like

People share what a good A&E experience looks like

Healthwatch 31 October 2019

• In light of the new access standards proposed by the government a survey of 1,700 people in July and October 2019 to understand people’s expectations of A&E services. While there was a low awareness of current A&E targets the survey showed that time spent waiting is less important to people than quick and effective triage, clear communication, access to pain relief, and quality of care. 
• Six local Healthwatch are speaking to patients in test sites currently piloting new A&E access standards, to understand how the proposed measures will impact people.