Loneliness raises A&E admissions during festive season, reveals NHS
The NHS has warned that there will be a serious rise of cases in the A&E department from the elderly in the Christmas period. This is due to the majority of them being extremely lonely and not being able to call on friends or family for company to make them aware of their health problems.
The NHS England’s national clinical director for acute care, professor Keith Willett, has presented a study which shows that 45% of elderly patients state they are socially isolated.
Last week, a record 440,000 visits to the A&E were made, which is an increase of 6% when compared to same time last year.
The cabinet secretary for health, wellbeing, and sport in Scotland Shona Robison commented: “NHS 24, the local pharmacy, the GP surgery or minor injuries unit may be the better place to go rather than a busy A&E unit, keeping emergency lifesaving services free for those who really need them.”
Her statement shows that the issue of lifesaving services being affected during the holiday period by the elderly is something that is happening all over UK and needs to be tackled head on.
Halimat Shode
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