A newly launched Health Improvement Unit (HIU) team in Cambridgeshire is making strides to reduce avoidable visits to Accident & Emergency (A&E) departments. Established in October, the initiative provides dedicated support to individuals aged 18 and over who are registered with a general practitioner (GP) in the regions of Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, and Royston.
The HIU team's primary goal is to address the root causes of frequent A&E visits. Many individuals who repeatedly turn to emergency services do not present with medical emergencies but rather face issues such as loneliness, financial difficulties, and poor physical or mental health. By targeting these underlying challenges, the HIU team aims to alleviate pressure on local emergency departments, including Peterborough City, Hinchingbrooke, and Addenbrooke's hospitals.
Working closely with service users, the HIU team adopts a one-to-one support model to assess specific needs and connect individuals with appropriate resources. The positive impact of this approach is already becoming evident. For instance, Julie, a service user, reported that without the team's intervention, she would resort to calling an ambulance.
"If the team wasn't here, I would call an ambulance," said Julie.
After the HIU team provided support and referrals, Julie's A&E visits decreased from six in September and October to just three in December and January.
Another case highlights the effectiveness of the HIU team’s support. A man who had exhibited aggressive behavior toward hospital staff was assisted by the team in addressing his mental health challenges, alcohol misuse, self-harm, and recurrent falls. Prior to receiving help, he had visited A&E 16 times in two weeks and 32 times over the past year. Following his engagement with the HIU team, his visits dropped dramatically to just one in two months.
The HIU team has also aided individuals grappling with chronic conditions and mental health issues. One service user suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and severe anxiety received tailored assistance that significantly improved their situation.
Jon Bartram, the programme director of strategic commissioning with the NHS, emphasized the complex social factors contributing to frequent A&E visits.
"Such frequent visits are often due to complex social factors and are often non-clinical in nature," Bartram explained.
The HIU team’s efforts not only aim to lower the rate of emergency calls but also to enhance overall community health, wellbeing, and quality of life. Tom Sanderson, a representative from the initiative, noted the tangible improvements since their support began last autumn.
"Since our team started supporting individuals last autumn, they have already made an important difference to the health, wellbeing and quality of life of a number of people," Sanderson stated.
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