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Availability of primary care and avoidable attendance at English emergency departments: A regression analysis

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  • Jamieson, Timothy
  • Gravelle, Hugh
  • Santos, Rita

Abstract

Attendances at emergency departments (EDs) by patients who could have been treated in primary care increase waiting times and costs in EDs and may reduce quality of care. This study examines whether the probability that a patient’s ED attendance is avoidable is associated with their characteristics and the quality, staffing, and availability of their general practice, particularly its extended hours provision. We estimate ED attendance level linear probability and logistic regressions using data on 10.16 M attendances at 144 major EDs by patients aged 16 or over from 6668 English practices. We use two definitions of avoidable ED attendance: the NHS definition (non-urgent) and a new wider definition (clinically inappropriate).

Suggested Citation

  • Jamieson, Timothy & Gravelle, Hugh & Santos, Rita, 2025. "Availability of primary care and avoidable attendance at English emergency departments: A regression analysis," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:hepoli:v:157:y:2025:i:c:s0168851025000867
    DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2025.105330
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    References listed on IDEAS

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