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At a time when the efficacy of the unplanned admissions directed enhanced services (DES) is being questioned, Dr Sarah Purdy from the University of Bristol has responded to claims that CCGs can reduce the increase in hospital admissions for chronic conditions.

Research published by the Nuffield Trust in November 2013 revealed that the number of hospital admissions for chronic conditions rose by 40% between April 2001 and March 2011. Dr Purdy claims that emergency admissions constitute around 65% of hospital bed days but it is difficult to pin point what is causing some people to use emergency services and others not, when different social factors are at play. She goes on to say it is essential for CCGs to have access to all the evidence in order to make a difference, for example in co-ordinating end of life care.  Read the article in PULSE magazine.  

The findings of the National Institute for Health Research School for Primary Care Research (NIHR SPCR) funded systematic review were published in the BMJ 'Which features of primary care affect unscheduled secondary care use? A systematic review'. Huntley A, Lasserson D, Wye L, Morris R, Checkland K, England H, Salisbury C, Purdy S.

Dr Purdy was asked to comment on whether the new DES is likely to have an impact on avoidable emergency admissions in the PULSE magazine in January this yearRead the article.

Read the press release,issued on 24 July by the Centre for Academic Primary Care, University of Bristol. 'Seeing the same GP at every visit will reduce emergency department attendance.'