Rising population in Banburyshire sees Horton A&E patient numbers rise by 5.5%

Councillors heard that the effect of growing population was causing higher numbers at the emergency departments of both the Oxford University Hospitals Trust’s (OUH) hospitals – the Horton and John Radcliffe, Oxford.

Last week, the Oxfordshire Joint Health and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) asked the OUH questions about services at the Horton during the first debate about hospital services in Banbury for many years.

Co-opted HOSC member Barbara Shaw asked the trust what steps it is taking to manage increased demand now and in the future – and to maintain performance and patient safety as the population grows in the catchment area known as Banburyshire.

Prof Andrew Brent, OUH chief medical officer, said demand had risen at the Horton and JR emergency departments reflecting the ‘social determinants of health’ and an ageing population.

“We've had seen very significant increases in demand for our A&E services since pre-pandemic times. So it's not unique to to the Horton. We are among the best performing hospitals in terms of some of the metrics which are measured nationally around emergency department waiting times, though we're not complacent about that,” he said.

“We've got a plan and a trajectory to get better and we're still improving. We’ve invested significantly in the workforce across the JR and Horton Hospital over the last few years. We monitor patient safety very closely and there isn't any signal to suggest there's any higher risk associated with the Horton. "

Prof Brent said the trust had made successful bids for funds for enhanced urgent and emergency care which he hoped could be shared at the next HOSC debate on the Horton in November.

He said population growth was the same in Oxford as in Banbury

“We've increased our workforce, including strengthening overnight senior decision-makers that have definitely helped our ability to manage the increasing case-load. We've improved the flow through the (A&Es), which helps keep the department less congested and safe."

He said a key factor was how the trust worked with external partners (for example social care and care homes) in a bid to prevent delay in the discharge of patients fit to leave hospital, thus freeing beds for new admissions. The trust works with primary care to plan for patients in advance, helping avoid visits to A&E.

He said there were various ways to help patients, especially in winter, including having treatment for respiratory conditions optimised and encouraging vaccination against seasonal viruses.

Cllr David Hingley asked if any assessment had been made on the impact transfer to the JR has on patients and their families.

Prof Brent said: “I know for anybody that's going to be inconvenient. For some, that might be much more difficult and we understand the challenges of transport.

“That needs to be balanced against against the benefits of care in the right place, We’re trying to make sure that within the constraints that we operate in the NHS, on our estates, the finances, the workforce - we are delivering as much as of the care that we can, as close to home as possible, while maintaining quality."