British Red Cross responds to the government's NHS 10-year plan

Responding to the NHS 10-year plan, Lisa Hollins, British Red Cross UK executive director said: 

“We welcome the focus on health inequalities and neighbourhood health centres. Our teams see first-hand how wider social factors affect people's health. We have taken people home from hospital to begin recovery, only to find they have no food or heating. From our work with people who need to make frequent A&E visits, we know there is a clear link between deprivation, inequalities, and people reaching a crisis point in their health. 

“Providing care closer to home through neighbourhood health centres has the potential to be transformative for people. Personalised care is needed to address the most severe impacts of deprivation. Alongside this we need comprehensive support that considers individual needs, to prevent people slipping into crisis. 

“The impact of health inequalities cannot be solved by the health sector alone; the voluntary sector can be a part of the solution. We look forward to continuing to work alongside government to make sure that no one is falling through the gaps.” 

Notes to editors 

For over 150 years, the British Red Cross has helped people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We support people to stay healthy in their communities, operating over 130 health services across the UK, based in hospitals and communities. 

British Red Cross services help take pressure off the NHS, help people to get back home safely and recover well, and ultimately leads to better health and wellbeing outcomes for people.     

Frequent attendance at A&E costs the NHS £2.5 billion a year - while less than 1% of the English population attend A&E frequently, they account for 29% of all ambulance journeys, and 26% of all hospital admissions. People living in the most deprived areas are more likely to attend A&E frequently.* 

British Red Cross High Intensity Use services available in 14 sites across England, have helped reduce emergency admissions by nearly 60% for those most at risk of crisis. 

Previous British Red Cross reports:  

• Nowhere else to turn: Exploring the high intensity use of Accident and Emergency services.
• Seen and heard: Understanding frequent attendance at A&E.