If only I could show you the graphs!

There are some really great graphs in The College of Emergency Medicine report on the crisis in Accident and Emergency departments, unfortunately they are in PDF and not JPEG, so I can’t use them. Take a look at the report and you’ll see what I mean.

The CEM lifted the graphs in turn from the NHS.

It’s an illustration how clever people sometimes can’t spot the obvious because it’s not what they are looking for.

 

Admissions to A and E’s in Scotland:

2001/2    about 1.5 million

2011/12  about 1.6 million.

 

Admissions to A and E’s in England:

2001/2    about 13 million.

2011/12  about 21.75 million.

 

Now what is unimportant in comparing these figures; that they are different countries, different populations, probably slightly differently calculated.

What is important;

If anything, Scotland should be in more difficulties; ageing population, social deprivation, a drinking culture, drug issues, all of which are as serious as in England.

The relative increase in attendances.

Scotland saw an increase of 6.67%

England saw an increase of 67.31%.

Wales and Northern Ireland are similar to Scotland.

The answer?

England has seen an unprecedented number of closures of A and E’s over the last ten years. So there are more attendances at each surviving A and E.

Scotland, with devolved powers, has spent more on their NHS as has Wales. Northern Ireland still receives a massive state subsidy due to the ‘troubles’.

You get what you pay for.

Tomorrow I will take a look at how the time and space given to blaming the elderly for the increase in numbers attending A and E is a diversion from what is really happening.

Neil Harris

(a don’t stop till you drop production)

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