The NHS in the local area (BANES, Swindon & Wiltshire) is trying to find out more about why people make the decision to seek treatment at local Accident & Emergecy departments. We are looking to get as many people as possible to complete a survey so we can understand more.

Could you please help us improve hospital A&E services in the local area?

Have you been treated in an Accident & Emergency department recently? Complete the Big A&E Survey today

During 2024 there was a 5.6 per cent increase in visits to Accident and Emergency Departments in Bath, Swindon and Salisbury, mainly due to a rise in the number of ‘walk-in’ patients.

To help understand the reasons for this, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire NHS Integrated Care Board (BSW ICB) has launched the Big A&E Survey – a major outreach exercise find out why more people are attending A&E departments in Bath, Swindon and Salisbury.

In order to bring waiting times down, BSW ICB needs to understand why more people are going to A&Es instead of using other NHS services, such as GP surgeries, Minor Injury Units or the NHS 111 service. With BSW’s population growing all the time, it’s crucial to know the reasons behind this trend.

Over the next three months, BSW ICB is working with Healthwatch and hospitals in Bath, Swindon and Salisbury to find out more through the Big A&E Survey.

There will be face-to-face questionnaires carried out at all three A&Es in BSW. Additionally, a digital survey will explore why patients choose EDs and their awareness of other treatment options. It will also look for any health inequalities and service gaps.

The findings will be analysed to understand what’s behind the rising demand and to make recommendations for plans to reduce this demand and improve communication with specific population groups needing support.

How you can get involved

Have you or a family member attended an Accident and Emergency Department in BSW recently? If so, completing our short survey by clicking the link below or scanning the QR code will help us understand why people at going to the A&Es and the decision-making process for patients attending them for treatment. Having a better understanding of this will help us to improve services for everyone.

BSW Big A&E Survey

bsw.icb.nhs.uk/the-big-aande-survey/

Dom Hall

People and Communities Engagement Specialist

NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board

M:0775 2471748 |E:dom.hall@nhs.net

W:www.bsw.icb.nhs.uk