Managing patients at home: variation in non-conveyance rates between ambulance services in England

The ten regional ambulance services in England have different non-conveyance rates. When an ambulance is sent, some services manage 27% of patients at home whereas others manage 37% at home. Our research focused on all emergency calls to the ambulance service, not just those for palliative care patients. We interviewed staff at each ambulance service and used routine data to explain differences between non-conveyance rates. This has implications for patients in the late palliative care phase who wish to be cared for, and die, at home.

About the speaker

Professor Alicia O’Cathain is Professor of Health Services Research at ScHARR at the University of Sheffield. She leads research on the evaluation of new health and care services, the development and evaluation of complex interventions for chronic conditions, and emergency and urgent care. Professor O’Cathain is a member of the NIHR Yorkshire & Humber Palliative Care Research Network.

About the seminar series 

The Cicely Saunders Institute Open Seminar Series events are free to attend.

This seminar is worth CPD (1 credit) pending from the Royal College of Physicians.

The series aim is to optimise opportunities for local, national and international networking within palliative care and rehabilitation. We facilitate seminars to assist in improving practice, education and policy, and the integration of research and clinical endeavours.