The increase in people attending A&E cannot be attributed to one single cause, the Department of Health and Social Care has said.

About 6,000 more people used Noble’s Hospital’s A&E in 2019 than in 2015 and Health Minister David Ashford recently confirmed a 21% increase in patients turning up at the emergency department.

The increase in patients using the emergency department is not one restricted to the island. NHS England has seen the number of people attending A&E rise by 22% over the past decade. Noble’s has seen a 21% increase.

A DHSC spokesman told the Examiner that there are ’many factors here and in the UK driving increased attendances’ at A&E’.

The spokesman added: ’Patients unable to get a GP appointment that is convenient to them - GPs do have short notice appointments but attendance does require flexibility from the patient.

appointment

’Some who cannot attend the appointment offered will instead choose to go to ED where they will be seen - in the main within four hours.

’As our population ages, we are seeing more attendances of elderly patients who are suffering from the maladies of old age (i.e. fragility fractures, loss of mobility, exacerbation of chronic conditions).

’Much work is underway in DHSC to provide services for elderly people near their homes in the community - such as the integrated care project in the west - which is up and running and should in time, result in fewer visits to A&E.’

One of the more unusual increases in patients attended A&E has been attributed to the evolving nature of cancer treatments.

developments

Because of developments in chemotherapeutic agents over the past few years some of the more traditional effects of chemotherapy (i.e. sickness, hair loss, lethargy) are seen much less now than they were in the past.

The DHSC spokesman added: ’A more frequent side effect now is the reduction in the number of immune cells in the blood which can make catching an infection easier.

’Although the development of the Acute Oncology Service has much improved the pathway for these patients, some do still access acute hospital treatment through ED.’

During a debate in the January sitting of Tynwald to seek additional funding for the DHSC, Minister David Ashford said: ’Weekend attendances are increasing, with the average from January 2019 1 to September 30 being 195.

’But from October 2019 until the beginning of January [2020], the average has increased again to 254.

’At the same time, it has suffered from significant medical vacancies, including two consultants, three speciality doctors and two clinical fellows.’