The Big A&E Survey

If you or a family member have been treated in an Accident and Emergency Department in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon or Wiltshire recently, we want to hear from you.

During 2024 there was a 5.6 per cent increase in patient visits to Accident and Emergency Departments (A&Es) in hospitals in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW), mainly due to a rise in the number of ‘walk-in’ patients.

In order to bring waiting times down, we need to understand why more people are going to A&Es instead of using other NHS services, such as GP surgeries, Minor Injury Units or the NHS 111 service.  With BSW’s population growing all the time, it’s crucial to know the reasons behind this trend.

Over the next three months, BSW ICB is working with Healthwatch  and hospitals in Bath, Swindon and Salisbury to find out more through the Big A&E Survey.

We’ll conduct face-to-face questionnaires at all three A&Es in BSW. Additionally, a digital survey will be launched via social media. The survey will explore why patients choose EDs and their awareness of other treatment options. It will also look for any health inequalities and service gaps.

The findings will be analysed and shared with system partners to understand what’s behind the rising demand and to make recommendations for plans to reduce this demand and improve communication with specific population groups needing support.

How you can get involved

Have you or a family member attended an Accident and Emergency Department in BSW  recently? If so, completing our short survey by clicking the link below will help us understand why people at going to the A&Es and the decision-making process for patients attending them for treatment. Having a better understanding of this will help us to improve services for everyone.