Accident and Emergency departments in Bath, Swindon, and Salisbury experienced a 5.6% increase in visits during 2024, primarily driven by a rise in "walk-in" patients.
To understand the root causes of this surge, the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire NHS Integrated Care Board (BSW ICB) has launched the Big A&E Survey.
This major outreach initiative aims to uncover the reasons behind the increased A&E attendance and identify potential solutions to alleviate pressure on emergency services. The BSW ICB is working to reduce waiting times and needs to understand why more people are bypassing other NHS services, such as GP surgeries, Minor Injury Units, or the NHS 111 service, in favor of A&E.
With the population in the BSW area constantly growing, understanding the drivers behind this trend is crucial for effective resource allocation and service delivery.
Over the next three months, the BSW ICB will collaborate with Healthwatch and hospitals in Bath, Swindon, and Salisbury to gather insights through the Big A&E Survey.
The survey will employ both face-to-face questionnaires at the A&E departments and a digital survey to explore patient decision-making, awareness of alternative treatment options, health inequalities, and service gaps.
The collected data will be analysed to understand the underlying factors contributing to the rising demand, enabling the development of targeted recommendations to reduce pressure on A&E services and improve communication with specific populations needing support.
If you or a family member has recently attended an Accident and Emergency Department in Bath, Swindon, or Salisbury, your input is valuable. Take a few minutes to complete the Big A&E Survey and help the NHS understand the decision-making process of patients seeking emergency care. Your feedback will contribute to improving services for everyone.
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