The National Dementia Intelligence Network (DIN) has recently published its data briefing ‘The reasons why people with dementia are admitted to acute general hospitals in an emergency.’ The briefing includes data for each local authority and Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) in England[1], along with a briefing document. These can be found here.
This is first in a series of dementia data briefings, looking at the dementia diagnosed group and their use of inpatient general hospital services during 2012/13. It focusses on the provision of care for people living with dementia rather than the process of acquiring a diagnosis. Key findings are highlighted below.
What does this mean for Richmond?
- In March 2015 there were 1,152[2] individuals in Richmond who had a formal diagnosis of dementia and were registered with their primary care practice.
- During 2012/13 there were 887 emergency admissions where a reference to Dementia was recorded.
- Around 95% (843) of these admissions were routed via an A&E department, while 1% (9) came from a GP, which is the same as the regional values. However, the national values are lower for admissions via A&E (83%) but higher for admissions via GP (11%), compared to Richmond.
- 230 (26%) of the emergency admissions in Richmond were for lengths of stay of 1 day or less, classed as a short stay admission, which is similar to the regional proportion (27%). Richmond has the 13th lowest proportion of short stay admissions compared to the London Boroughs. The lowest proportion of short stay admissions is in Tower Hamlets (17%) and the 2nd lowest is Kingston (18%). The highest is in Hounslow (35%).
Table 1: Summary statistics of emergency admissions relating to people with dementia.
| Richmond | London | England | |
| Number of emergency admissions (2012/13) | 887 | 37,931 | 292,200 |
| Via A&E | 843 (95%) | 36,123 (95%) | 242,400 (83%) |
| Via GP | 9 (1%) | (253) 1% | 33,270 (11%) |
| Short stay admissions | 230 (26%) | 10,208 (27%) | 75,200 (26%) |
| Stays longer than 1 night | 657 (74%) | 27,183 (71%) | 217,000 (74%) |
| Number with a formal diagnosis of dementia (March 2015)2 | 1,152 | 43,958 | 400,707 |
Table 2: Primary diagnosis[3] of all emergency admissions relating to people with dementia, 2012/13.
| Admissions related to: | Richmond | London | England |
| Symptoms not elsewhere classified | 21% | 20% | 21% |
| External injuries and poisoning | 15% | 13% | 16% |
| Respiratory system | 14% | 15% | 15% |
| Genitourinary system | 12% | 13% | 11% |
| Circulatory system | 10% | 8% | 9% |
- National data show that people who are admitted for a short stay are more likely to be admitted for events linked to external injuries and poisoning and symptoms that are not elsewhere classified.
- There has been a 48% rise in emergency admissions nationally since 2008/09 for this group. The need for people with dementia requiring emergency admissions to hospital for physical conditions can be reduced by improving preventative interventions.
[1] This newsflash focusses on Local Authority data.
[2] Quality Outcomes Framework (QOF): using the March 2015 figures for recorded diagnoses.
[3] Primary diagnosis from chapters of the ICD10.