Review into patients who are diverted from A&E departments
- 26.07.2017
- EmmaArnold
- Clinical-negligence, Clinical-negligence
A national review was launched by NHS England into schemes which divert patients away from A&E departments.
The investigation comes after a man was turned away from A&E while a pilot scheme was in place to ease pressure on the department and so he was seen by a GP service instead.
David Birtwistle missed out on checks that could have prevented him from dying of a pulmonary embolism after he was suffering from breathlessness.
Following an inquest into his death, the national review was requested 'as a matter of some urgency' into the 'front door' services.
Hannah Bottomley, clinical negligence solicitor at Potter Rees Dolan, said:
This tragic case has raised a number of important points regarding appropriate services for patients to access in emergency situations. Here at Potter Rees Dolan we understand that A&E services can become stretched and that alternative sources of medical care may be more appropriate in some situations to try and relive that burden. But Mr Birtwistle’s case demonstrates the need to ensure that there is robust assessment of all patients at the outset to ensure that the right care is accessed by that patient.
Every winter we see campaigns from the NHS encouraging people to make sensible decisions about the medical services they should seek to access depending on their condition. For minor complaints, pharmacists can be a useful first point leading up to A&E departments for those with the most serious of conditions.
However, it is vital that those seeking to access A&E departments are appropriately assessed before being referred to alternative sources as otherwise, as can be seen in this tragic case, life-threatening conditions can be missed.
The assistant coroner at the inquest was concerned that there was a risk of further deaths unless action is taken. The results of the review are due to be published by NHS England in summer 2018.
Hannah Bottomley is a clinical negligence solicitor with Potter Rees Dolan. Should you have any queries about the issues raised in this article and wish to speak with Hannah or any other member of the team please contact us on 0161 237 5888.