Figures reveal cost of A&E visits

One in seven emergency visits to two West Sussex hospitals lastyearweremadebypatients with no obvious medical condition, figures revealed.

NHS Digital data showed some 21,905 admissions at Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust had a primary diagnosis of ‘nothing abnormal detected’.

These accounted for 14 per cent of all A&E activity at the trust over the period – which was among the highest proportion of 137 trusts which submitted data. Such visits cost thetrust,whichrunsWorthing Hospital and St Richard’s Hospital, about £3.3million last year, the figures showed. The NHS said A&E was for serious and life-threatening emergencies,.

But the Royal College of Emergency Medicine said many people anxious about their health have ‘no alternative’ but to turn to A&E for treatment. Its vicepresident, Dr Adrian Boyle, warned there were ‘many reasons’ why someone could attend an emergency department and then be discharged with no serious diagnosis made.

“They may attend because there is simply no alternative, ortheyaredirectedtherebyan external agency”, he said.

Dr Boyle added ‘crucially patients won’t know the severity of their condition without clinical expertise or examination’. He said concern over pressures on A&E departments should not be shouldered by the public.

A spokesman for the hospitals trust said: “By calling NHS111firstorvisiting111.nhs. uk, you can make sure you’re getting the right care for your needs, in a more-timely way.”

Thespokesmansaidpeople should still call 999 or go direct toA&Eifitisa‘genuinemedical emergency,’.