Latest data shows upward trajectory for avoidable MS emergency admissions continues

The latest Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data shows that emergency hospital admissions for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) continue to rise despite many of them being avoidable through preventative care.

MS Academy have partnered with healthcare intelligence provider Wilmington Healthcare to analyse the latest HES data and compare it to the previous two years, and have found an upward trend in emergency admissions.

There were over 4,000 more emergency admissions for people with MS in 2018/19 compared to 2016/17. Those 30,310 admissions consisted of 18,305 people with MS, at a cost of £86 million to the NHS. That’s £7 million more than the previous year.

Many of the admissions could have been avoided through proactive, preventative care, earlier diagnosis and intervention in the community. Sue Thomas, CEO of Wilmington Healthcare, said:

Emergency admissions for respiratory issues such as infections were common and cost the NHS £15 million, whilst bladder and bowel problems cost £9.1 million.

MS Academy Academic Director Professor Gavin Giovannoni said:

Highlighting our ‘Raising the bar for MS’ programme, Gavin said that we ‘can do more with less’ but that, “Without working differently and ensuring that no patient with MS is left behind we are not going to reverse these trends.”