Urgent Care Horizon Scanning Volume 2 Issue 1

Impact of pandemic influenza on UK paediatric intensive care demand

Source: Archives of Disease in Childhood

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Date of publication: December 2009

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Each winter seasonal respiratory virus infections account for large variations in unplanned admission to UK paediatric intensive care units.  The authors concluded that contingency measures for children needing paediatric intensive care are needed to absorb the likely increase in activity expected due to pandemic influenza.

Length of publication: 3 pages 

Acknowledgements: BBC News

New non-emergency number “111″ piloted

Source: Pulse Today

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Date of publication: December 2009

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: A new non-emergency urgent care number is to be piloted, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Clinically trained staff will take the calls and refer patients to services as appropriate.

Length of publication: Webpage

Some important notes: See also the press releases from NHS North East and NHS East Midlands, 2 of the 3 Strategic Health Authorities involved in the initial pilot.

20mph speed zones cut road injuries by 40%

Source: BMJ

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Date of publication: December 2009

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: The study is based on the analysis of police data on road casualties from 1986-2006, and found that the introduction of 20 mph zones was associated with a 41.9% reduction in road casualties. The reduction was greatest in younger children and greater for the category of killed or seriously injured casualties than for minor injuries. The article concludes that 20 mph zones are effective measures for reducing road injuries and deaths.

Length of publication: 6 pages

Acknowledgements: BBC News

Do walk-in centres for commuters work?

Source: British Journal of General Practice

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Date of publication: December 2009

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Between 2005 and 2007, six pilot walk-in centres were opened in or near train stations, to provide health care to commuters. They are run by independent providers on behalf of the NHS, providing access to doctors and nurses. The study found that pilot walk-in centres near train stations had low activity levels and high costs. A policy of placing healthcare centres in areas of high worker density may be more successful. 

Length of publication: 9 pages

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Urgent Care Horizon Scanning Volume 1 Issue 8

Emergency Services Review. Good Practice Guide for Ambulance Services and their Commissioners

Source: Department of Health

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Date of publication: October 2009

Publication type: Best practice

In a nutshell: This report draws together published guidance for UK Ambulance Services and is directed at Ambulance Service managers, Commissioners and Partners in Unscheduled Care. The report addresses: Ambulance Service Commissioning, Whole System Working and Effective Partnerships, aspects of Operational Performance (Understanding Demand, Aligning Resources to Demand, The Call Cycle & Emergency Operations Centres) and Escalation. The report is extensively referenced with hyper links to relevant documents on the web and a full bibliography.

Length of publication: 27 pages

Emergency Services Review. A Comparative Review of International Ambulance Service Best Practice

Source: Department of Health

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Date of publication: October 2009

Publication type: Best practice

In a nutshell: A two part report addressing international best practice in Ambulance Services.  Part One contains thr report of an eight question survey of EMS leaders from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Germany and USA.  Part Two reports international best practice reported in the literature.  The report presents a series of recommendations based on the evidence collected.

Length of publication: 66 pages

Swine flu: guidance for planners

Source: Department of Health

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Date of publication: October 2009

Publication type: Best Practice

In a nutshell: The Department of Health and the Cabinet Office have today published new guidance to support pandemic planners based on the latest science and understanding of the swine flu virus.  The latest evidence indicates that the pandemic may peak at a lower rate than originally thought, but does not suggest that their should be any change to the response in terms of ensuring the NHS and social care organisations are as prepared and resilient as possible for the winter months.  

Length of publication: 4 pages