Elective inpatient admissions under neurology: a retrospective single centre study

<h3>Background</h3> Elective inpatient admissions at regional neuroscience centres can be used to expedite investigations and offer treatment for complex cases. With increasing bed pressures, elective admissions must be timely, efficient and provide equal access to patients from across the region. <h3>Methods</h3> We analysed Secondary User Service (SUS) data on 146 adults admitted to the Atkinson Morley Regional Neuroscience Centre for South West London and Surrey from 2022–2023. We then reviewed case notes from 21 consecutive admissions during this period. <h3>Results</h3> The most common indications for admission in the SUS dataset were epilepsy (28%) and parkinsonism and other extrapyramidal disorders (15%). Of these patients, 69% had an Index of Multiple Deprivation &gt;5 and 65% were white. The mean time from admission to consultant review was 22 hours. Six patients were admitted for investigations, three of which were for MRI. The mean time from admission to MRI was 188 hours. The mean length of stay was higher during admissions for investigation (11 vs 5 days). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Identification of issues around the access to and effectiveness of these admissions led us to develop guidance on how to select patients for admission and explore expedited imaging pathways for this patient group.