Optimising Urgent and Emergency Care using digital innovation

About this webinar

Data suggests that between 1.5 and 3 million people who come to A&E each year could have been served by other services within the urgent care system. Those people are seen and worked up in A&E as they arrive, which contributes to overcrowding and increases the risk of delayed care for people with true emergencies. In April 2021, there were 1.87 million A&E attendances, 10.6% more than the previous month and double the number compared to same time last year. The number of calls through NHS111 increased by 3.6% in April 2021 compared to year before. Developing a digital system of patient-led pre-hospital triaging could help direct people to the right place of care at the right time, first time, hence avoiding unnecessary hospital attendances. The e-Triage tool could include services such as community pharmacy, social prescribers, same day emergency care, mental health, frailty services as well as self-management guidance. Machine learning has already been used to predict the severity of medical conditions in patients with trauma, infectious disease and other clinical presentations, in order to guide management in A&E. The e-Triaging tool would enable patients to access the service from their home and on demand, using their mobile phone.

About the speaker

Dr Penny Kechagioglou is a Consultant Clinical Oncologist and Group Clinical Director for Surgery and Emergency Medicine at the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire. Penny is currently completing a DBA with Warwick Business School on the subject of Healthcare Innovation and the role of Leadership in driving Innovation diffusion. She has also led on digital and other innovation projects in the public and private sector as a senior clinical leader.