A nationwide mapping of services for high users of emergency departments in England: observational study

Aims and method:

Services for people who are high users of emergency departments (EDs) have developed in a piecemeal fashion, including those embedded within liaison mental health services, over the past decade. We conducted a national survey of all 171 National Health Service hospitals in England with an ED to identify high user services, alongside 20 interviews from exemplar services to characterise the interventions offered.

Results:

We had a 100% response rate. Of the 171 hospitals, 76 (44%) had a high user service in the ED without designated staff and 71 (42%) offered services with some designated staff time; 10 (6%) had community services, either separate or with hospital outreach; and 14 (8%) had no service. Interviews revealed great variability among services on most parameters, including staffing levels, entry criteria, case-load and types of intervention.

Clinical implications:

There is a need for clarity on entry criteria, case-load and types of intervention, to improve consistency and effectiveness of these services to guide decision-making.