It has been reported that in the past ten years a surge in the readmission of emergency cases in the hospitals have been observed. According to the Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, there has been a surge of 78% in the readmission of emergency cases

It has been informed that in the past few years, patients have been readmitted to A&S soon after four weeks of discharge. The hospitals of London and the South East hospitals have witnessed the highest hike in the number of patients being readmitted to hospitals.

Andrew Lansley has pledged to reduce the readmission of patients in the hospitals. He said, “Patients have a right to expect that they are looked after properly and that the treatment helps them to recover. Having to be readmitted and treated all over again is hugely distressing”.

The Chief Executive of the Patients Association, Katherine Murphy, also expressed concern over the increased cases of readmission of the patients. Katherine Murphy has recommended that the hospitals should take the responsibility of caring for the patients even after they have been discharged from the hospitals.

With the aim of improving the quality of services being provided to the hospitals, the health authorities are planning to bring in certain changes in the health sectors. In the next year, health workers would be provided with contractual duty, which will allow them to raise voice over the issues which could hamper the care being provided to patients. Besides, web-based whistle blowing service would also be introduced in 2012.

A helpline number would also be introduced by which patients, after being discharged from the hospitals would be able to contact doctors if they encounter any complications. Greater care and better treatment would be provided to patients so that their readmission to the emergency department could be prevented.