Emergency hospital admissions of children have risen dramatically in the past 20 years due to increasing numbers who are admitted and discharged on the same day - so called ‘zero day’ admissions. There was a 49% increase in emergency admissions from 2000-2013 (an increase of 13,470 zero day admissions) and a further 18% rise from 2013-2015. This represents an increased annual expenditure of approximately £5million in Scotland. The FLAMINGO (Flow of Admissions in Children and Young People) study is investigating how and why these admissions are rising in Scotland by using routinely collected NHS data and interviews with clinicians and families, to understand a child’s journey through services prior to their admission. On Friday 3rd September the FLAMINGO study held its end-of-project interactive event at Edinburgh Zoo. The event was attended by around 40 clinicians, parents, government and voluntary sector representatives, and other stakeholders. Attendees took part online or in person, which allowed for input from attendees in remoter areas of Scotland. The findings of the study were presented and used as a basis for discussion. Attendees gave feedback on the study findings and discussed priorities for future research. The study is led by Prof. Steve Turner of NHS Grampian and is funded by the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government. The study involves Dr Lorna Aucott (HSRU), Dr Phil Wilson (also in NHS Highland) and Smita Dick from the University of Aberdeen, Prof. Pat Hoddinott, Dr Emma France, and Dr Emma King from, as well as partners from NMAHP-RU, Edinburgh Napier University.
At the Zoo with FLAMINGO