The long-run effect of COVID-19 on hospital emergency department attendances: evidence from statistical analysis of hospital data from England

TY - JOUR

T1 - The long-run effect of COVID-19 on hospital emergency department attendances

T2 - evidence from statistical analysis of hospital data from England

AU - Jacob, Nikita

AU - Santos, Rita

AU - Sivey, Peter

N1 - © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

PY - 2024/12

Y1 - 2024/12

N2 - During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospital emergency departments worldwide experienced a pronounced fall in utilisation of emergency care, with a decrease of up to 40% in many countries. Evidence suggests the cause of these changes include both population fear of COVID-19 and the effects of lockdowns and the interaction of these two effects. We analyse a sub-sample of national data on Accident and Emergency (A&E) attendances in England over an extended period from April 2019 to March 2022 for different patient groups, including by age, mental/physical health status, acuity, and common clinical groupings. Our results showed that all patient groups experienced substantial declines in attendances during the first two waves of the pandemic, including high acuity and cardiovascular patients. Mental health patients were the only exception, with a smaller decline in attendances. Our findings suggest that policymakers should recognise the potential harmful effects of lockdowns, public messaging, and changes in health care provision on all patients during health emergencies.

AB - During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospital emergency departments worldwide experienced a pronounced fall in utilisation of emergency care, with a decrease of up to 40% in many countries. Evidence suggests the cause of these changes include both population fear of COVID-19 and the effects of lockdowns and the interaction of these two effects. We analyse a sub-sample of national data on Accident and Emergency (A&E) attendances in England over an extended period from April 2019 to March 2022 for different patient groups, including by age, mental/physical health status, acuity, and common clinical groupings. Our results showed that all patient groups experienced substantial declines in attendances during the first two waves of the pandemic, including high acuity and cardiovascular patients. Mental health patients were the only exception, with a smaller decline in attendances. Our findings suggest that policymakers should recognise the potential harmful effects of lockdowns, public messaging, and changes in health care provision on all patients during health emergencies.

KW - Covid-19

KW - emergency department attendances

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85206193214&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.healthpol.2024.105168

DO - 10.1016/j.healthpol.2024.105168

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85206193214

SN - 0168-8510

VL - 150

JO - Health Policy

JF - Health Policy

M1 - 105168

ER -