Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire secured funding to undertake a short-term project to examine the reasons behind individuals frequently attending the accident and emergency department (A&E) at University Hospital Wishaw (UHW).

A small cohort of individuals from the Wishaw and Motherwell localities who frequently attend UHW A&E were identified, with the aim of reducing attendances by 10 per cent between October 2018 and March 2019.

Since its inception, the project has achieved a 28 per cent reduction in attendances. It also identified that 48 per cent of the attendances could have been managed more appropriately by other services. This was achieved by providing individuals with an intensive person-centred care management approach involving third sector and community resources.  Lead nursing and health improvement practitioners worked together to provide person-centred care plans tailored to the individual’s needs which resulted in the reduction of attendances at A&E.

Jill Lockhart, senior nurse, said: “The success of the project is attributed to lead practitioners Kelly McLean and Claire Henry and their enthusiasm, drive and commitment to making a difference to patients’ lives.”

A full report of the findings and recommendations from the project will be published in September.