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Findings from a new project from our West Yorkshire Innovation Hub has shown that people living in areas of high deprivation and poverty have a significantly higher demand on emergency services than those living in more affluent areas. 

The collaborative proof-of-concept project in Wakefield has analysed healthcare access from across Wakefield with specific focus on those in the most deprived areas. Wakefield has a lower general health index than the averages for both England and Yorkshire and the Humber, and worse outcomes in cardiovascular disease, respiratory conditions, cancer, diabetes and kidney disease. It also has higher rates of self-harm and suicide. 

Building bigger A&E departments is not the answer to the issues affecting people who come to hospital. Only by working as an integrated system, including organisations such as housing, transport and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs), can we start to tackle the problems people face and our region’s inequalities.  

Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach integrating data-driven strategies, cross-sector collaboration, and innovative solutions. Insights have been gained through the collation and analysis of various data sources; the public’s perspectives on urgent and emergency care provision across Wakefield; and a detailed mapping exercise to articulate the organisations and services provided which support the health and wellbeing of residents outside of regular healthcare services. 

Our research has supported the development of a report and a short, two-page document outlining seven recommendations. The recommendations provide suggestions to enhance healthcare delivery, reduce inequalities, and improve health outcomes for the residents of Wakefield District, especially those in the most deprived populations. 

Some of the key findings included: 

• Deprivation correlation: Those living in the most deprived communities have a higher volume of calls to the ambulance service however, the rate of conveyance to hospital is smaller than the conveyance rate from less deprived areas. In Wakefield, this affects 34.2% of the population. 
• Education on available services: Public knowledge of available urgent and emergency healthcare services available across Wakefield outside of A&E and ambulance (999) is not widespread. Walk-in centres, GP out of hours services and the 111 service were only remembered when prompted. 

The seven recommendations include support from local, regional and national leaders and focus on areas such as:  

• Respiratory care enhancement 
• Strengthening mental health services 
• Addressing homelessness 

This project builds on existing work in our portfolio including YHealth for Growth, a campaign that tackles socio-economic inequalities and seeks to boost economic growth and health outcomes in our region and our work to address health inequalities. 

Read the full two-page document

If you would like to read the full report, please email: wyhinnovationhub@yhahsn.com