New research reveals 41% increase in children’s short stay hospital admissions

The number of children being admitted to hospitals in England for short stays increased by 41 per cent between 1996 and 2006, according to research published in PLoS One today by Dr Sonia Saxena and Alex Bottle from Imperial College London. The authors of the study say this increase may be linked to a shortfall in out-of-hours primary care services, but further research is needed before any firm conclusions can be drawn from the study. Other explanations include a change in hospital admission practices or in health-seeking behaviour by parents. The article was featured in the Daily Telegraph.

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