Accident and Emergency Departments

(asked on 23rd October 2017) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps the Government is taking to reduce the number of accident and emergency department admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia.


Answered by
Steve Brine Portrait
Steve Brine
This question was answered on 31st October 2017

Winter preparedness planning including maximising uptake of flu immunisation is key to reducing the number of accident and emergency department admissions for all respiratory conditions.

Seasonal influenza surveillance arrangements are in place to monitor influenza throughout the year. These systems look to determine the level of influenza-like illness in the community and provide this information to relevant organisations and government departments. This information informs public health recommendations to clinicians, such as the use of antivirals in primary care and the management of seasonal influenza on respiratory health.

Regarding chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), NHS England is launching a COPD Pathway for clinical commissioning groups in December with a specific focus on improving anticipatory care in order to reduce the need for hospital admissions.

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