Attendance statistics for accident and emergency departments provide an indication of both accidental and deliberate harm affecting young people and the magnitude of particular risk factors. Table 8.9 shows overall numbers by gender and category for Devon, highlight there were around 65,000 attendances for persons aged 0 to 19 in 2015-16. The pattern varies markedly by gender, with males much more likely to attend as a result of assault, a sports injury, and to a lesser extent a road traffic accident. Females are more likely to attend as a result of self-harm.
Table 8.9, Accident and Emergency Attendances in Devon by gender and category, persons aged 0 to 19, Devon, 2015-16
| Patient Group | Males | Females | Total |
| Road Traffic Collision | 225 | 166 | 391 |
| Assault | 293 | 128 | 421 |
| Deliberate Self-Harm | 122 | 501 | 623 |
| Sports Injury | 2,978 | 1,089 | 4,067 |
| Firework Injury | 25 | 20 | 45 |
| Other Accident | 14,224 | 11,754 | 25,978 |
| Other | 13,749 | 13,325 | 27,074 |
| Unknown | 3,198 | 3,008 | 6,206 |
| Grand Total | 34,814 | 29,991 | 64,805 |
Source: Hospital Episode Statistics, 2016
Figure 8.16 displays the pattern by time of attendances by time of day for selected patient groups for 2011-12 to 2013-14. This highlights attendances due to sports injury are highest during the daytime peaking at 4pm. Road traffic collision attendances peak in the late afternoon. Attendance rates for deliberate self-harm increase through the day and peak between 11pm and 1am. Attendance rates for assault are highest from 12 noon to 4pm and peak again in the early hours.
Figure 8.16, Accident and Emergency / Minor Injury Unit Attendances in Devon for Selected Patient Groups and Hour, 2015-16
Source: Hospital Episode Statistics, 2016
The figure below shows age-specific attendance rates for Devon by deprivation, highlighting attendances are particularly frequent for children, with the peak ages being 0 to 4, and 15 to 19. Attendances are also more likely in more deprived areas at all ages, highlighting the impacts of both social deprivation and age on attendance rates.
Figure 8.17, Accident and Emergency Attendances per 100,000 population by Age and Deprivation, Devon, 2015-16
Source: Hospital Episode Statistics, 2016
Road traffic accidents disproportionately affect younger adults, with the highest rates in those aged 16-24. 985 people were killed or seriously injured (KSI) on Devon’s roads between 2013 and 2015, an average of 328 per year, or just over six cases per week. The KSI rate in Devon (42.9 per 100,000) was significantly above the South West (38.6) and England (38.5) rates, and below the local authority comparator group rate (45.0). Within Devon rates were highest in West Devon (67.4) and lowest in Exeter (25.0). Rates have increased in Devon in recent years. Males are more likely to be killed or seriously injured than females. The likelihood is also greater in younger adults (16 to 24), and reduces through adult life with the lowest rates in over 65s. An analysis by rurality and deprivation reveals that more deprived rural areas have higher KSI rates (122.1) than less deprived areas (80.5), which the inverse is true in urban areas (more deprived 22.2, less deprived 25.9). Figure 8.18 shows the pattern across Devon at a community level, highlighting higher levels in rural areas, particularly in the North and West of the county.
Figure 8.18, Persons killed or seriously injured on roads per 100,000 population by LSOA, 2013 to 2015
Source: Department for Transport and Devon County Council, 2016