Preventing avoidable admissions for disabled people of working age: An exploratory study

Abstract

Aims There is a significant number of disabled people of working age who are at risk of experiencing an unplanned and potentially avoidable hospital admission. However, despite the huge cost of these admissions for both the NHS and the individual involved, there is very little research into health-care strategies that would enable disabled people of working age to avoid unplanned admissions. The authors aimed to investigate experiences of, and problems linked to, potentially avoidable admissions experienced by disabled people of working age in the UK, and propose ways of addressing problems identified. Methods Focus groups and interviews with health professionals (n=10) and service users (n=3) from similar services in South West England were conducted to explore issues around avoidable admissions. Thematic analysis of the date was then conducted. Findings Analysis revealed that the needs and expectations of disabled people of working age are different to those of older people, that there is a lack of information and specialist equipment available to service users and a shortage of age-appropriate services for disabled people of working age. Conclusions Disabled people of working age who experience unplanned admissions experience double discrimination: as disabled people their impairment-related needs can be poorly understood and met, and as younger people they can be excluded by services designed to meet the needs of older people. Short and long-term recommendations for further research and strategies which may help to reduce the number and impact of potentially avoidable admissions by disabled people of working age are suggested.