Primary care factors in the use of unplanned secondary care
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Primary care factors associated with utilisation of unplanned secondary care
IRAS ID
127888
Contact name
Sarah Purdy
Contact email
Research summary
Unplanned care is care that is delivered when the person seeking care, and their health-care providers, did not anticipate that care would be required. Reducing unplanned care in hospitals (accident and emergency department visits and hospital admission) is a priority for the NHS. There is a lot of variation across practices in use of unplanned secondary care services and the reasons for these differences are poorly understood.
The aim of this study is to evaluate how the organisation and delivery of primary care impacts on utilisation of unplanned hospital care. This work builds on a systematic review, which has summarised existing research evidence about the possible links between features of primary care and utilisation of unplanned hospital care. We will now look in depth, using a case study method, at six general practices that have high or low rates of utilisation of unplanned hospital care. These practices will be from four different areas in England. The case studies will include a combination of interviews (with health care providers and patients), a detailed observation in each GP practice, and analysis of written materials to identify characteristics of practices that are associated with utilisation of unplanned care.
This project will inform both future research, and new interventions to reduce unscheduled secondary care utilisation with a focus on primary care factors. The team includes GPs and researchers with experience in the methods being used, and in unscheduled care.
REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/WM/0241
Date of REC Opinion
17 Jul 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion