All the problems are caused by old people – if only they
would go away.
I’m being a bit sour – that’s not really what the team at the
College of Emergency Medicine are saying. But they do conclude that an aging
population is a problem.
I wish I could use their graphics but I can’t extract them
from the PDF.
Here are the ages of those attending A and E’s;
Less than 1 3%
1 to 5
8%
6 to 16
11%
16 to 64
58%
65 to 80
12%
More than 80 8%
1) This probably reflects the age breakdown of the
population. As the population gets older attendance at A and E’s will change.
We should plan for it instead of trying to drive elderly people away from
hospitals when they need them.
2) The under 5’s (11%) take up more places than the older
than 80’s (8%).
3) The under 16’s (22%) take up more places than the over
64’s (20%).
4) So why are all hospitals are trying to divert elderly
patients from A and E?
Why not try to prevent the young from going to hospital – it
would save more resources. For example, sports injuries and injuries caused as
a result of Drink and/or drugs make up a substantial proportion of A and E
time, yet no one is suggesting that everyone under 30 should be dissuaded from
coming to A and E.
As the figures show, young children with all those irritating
illnesses caused by lack of immunity as well as injuries resulting from
youthful exuberance mean there are too many youngsters in A and E.
Obviously, I don’t mean all that any more than people
shouldn’t be treated if they go mountaineering or kite-boarding. Then again,
because people are old doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be in hospital either.
We all pay for the service, we all have a right to access it.
There needs to be more acceptance of and consideration for the elderly.
Tomorrow I’m going to take a look the attitude that we are
wasting their time with pointless attendances at A and E.
Neil Harris
(a don’t stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutthenhs.blogspot.com
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