Retrospective review of safeguarding impact on HIU activity to 999.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Retrospective review of the impact of safeguarding referrals on individuals meeting the definition of a frequent caller to South Western Ambulance Service in 2022
IRAS ID
338223
Contact name
Jonathan Hammond-Williams
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Exeter
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 25 days
Research summary
A retrospective review of safeguarding referrals submitted about individuals meeting the definition of a High Intensity User (HIU) to South Western Ambulance Service (SWAS) between 2022-23. HIUs are a complex and vulnerable group, using high volumes of resources but, there is no direct link to social care or the Care Act (2014) for their care. Changes to the Care Act which received Royal Assent in April 2022 saw money paid by government not count towards the cap on care costs. Understanding whether this change has been positive or negative relating to safeguarding referrals made for HIUs, will help to demonstrate whether referrals to social care through safeguarding referrals have a positive impact on these individuals' lives by reducing a need for regular calls to 999 and instead provide the support necessary to reduce the frequency of emergency needs as demonstrated by regular calls to 999. The research aims to demonstrate the level of need for health and social care to link to better support this vulnerable group. The study will use patients' data held within the South Western Ambulance Service (SWAS) Safeguarding department, following contacts from the individuals requesting a SWAS response. People are automatically identified by the SWAS frequent caller management system (FCMS) highlighting those calling SWAS enough to meet the national definition of a frequent caller to an ambulance service. No direct contact with the individuals will be necessary. The research will identify which of those individuals within the time-frame have had a safeguarding referral submitted about them, by a clinician, following either remote or face-to-face assessments. The research will measure what impact the safeguarding referral has had on call volume to 999. It is hypothesised that frequent 999 calls demonstrate a complex need and meeting of stress thresholds where the individuals need support due to a crisis.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/YH/0099
Date of REC Opinion
23 Apr 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion