• Healthwatch England publishes new analysis of NHS readmissions data
• Figures show readmissions rose by a fifth in five years
• We say where there are avoidable emergency readmissions, it is important that both health and care providers learn from them.

Healthwatch England has published a new analysis of NHS emergency readmissions data.

The analysis showed:

• emergency readmissions rose by a fifth since 2012/13
• over 500,000 cases recorded in 2016/17
• one in every five emergency readmissions take place in the first 48 hours

Healthwatch calls on the health and social care sector to use emergency readmissions data to help them establish a wider understanding of how well people are being moved between different parts of the system.

The head of analysis at NHS Providers, Phillippa Hentsch said:

“We welcome this focus from Healthwatch England on readmission data.

“It is in the best interests for patients that they are discharged into the most appropriate care for their needs, whether at home or in the community, when they are medically fit and able to move on.

Where there are avoidable emergency readmissions, it is important that both health and care providers learn from them.

“Trusts work closely with local authorities to put into place the most appropriate care. Where there are avoidable emergency readmissions, it is important that both health and care providers learn from them.

“Trusts are working hard to reduce avoidable emergency readmissions, for example by improving communication with patients to support their continued recovery at home, and also by working more closely with local community and social services to ensure people are receiving the support they need.”