The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) are calling for a £20million per year nationwide programme to reduce unintentional (accidental) injuries to under-5s. Such a programme would be effective in reducing harm to our children, would save cost and would take pressure off hospital Emergency Departments (A&E).
What is the problem?
Based on recent data unintentional injury in the under-5s accounts for 7%2 of A&E attendances. Of these incidents, 18% are in the more severe triage codes signifying at least a threat to life or limb and/or severe pain. These would have required far more resources to treat than most A&E attendances. Approximately 10% of all A&E attendances result in an overnight hospital admission.
Disability
Preventing harm to our children at the beginning of life prevents injuries that would otherwise cause life-long impairment. Very young children are particularly prone to falling and to suffering head injuries, with severe consequences. Under-5s also suffer life-changing injuries from scalds, burns, asphyxiation and poisoning.
What’s the solution?
RoSPA’s experience with the the Safe At Home Scheme (2008-2011), show that a combination of education, information and some safety equipment, targeted at the most vulnerable families in areas with the highest injury rates, can produce outstanding results (52% reduction in hospital admission in the under-5s). A nationwide network of such partners as local authorities, housing associations and the Fire and Rescue Service showed what could be achieved.
To be effective, a sustained national programme is needed which builds on this experience and delivers year-on-year improvements in the way parents are educated on accident prevention, empowering them to take responsibility for themselves and their loved ones. They need to understand that accidents don’t have to happen and their capacity to avoid unintentional injury is significant.
RoSPA calculates that an annual £20million programme would address this problem at sufficient scale to make a huge difference to children in the UK and to the NHS in England. The break-even point for this programme, measured in costs to the NHS, would be a 15% reduction in emergency treatment for the under-5s. Measured in costs to the state (including long-term care, rehabilitation and disability benefits) the break-even point is estimated to be a 5-10% reduction in accidents for the under-5s.
More information: http://www.rospa.com/public-health/action-on-accidents/