High Intensity Use at Broomfield Hospital

What is this service?

British Red Cross HIU Service Transforms Emergency Care

Since October 2024, the British Red Cross has been running a new High Intensity Use (HIU) service at Broomfield Hospital to support people who often come to the emergency department. This service is commissioned by the ICB through the Better Health Fund. It helps people who may feel stuck in a cycle of crisis. Many of them are dealing with difficult problems like loneliness, mental health issues, past trauma, or housing problems.

A Different Approach to Care

Instead of only offering medical care, the HIU team focuses on understanding each person’s story. HIU staff meet with people in their homes or local areas to build trust and give one-to-one support.

Rather than just sending someone to another service, HIU staff stay involved. We help connect healthcare, housing, mental health, social care and work alongside the person until they feel ready to manage things on their own.

Together with the person, the team creates a simple plan with small steps to help them feel more confident, connect to services, and reduce their need to go to the hospital. The support is not rushed and doesn’t end until the person feels ready to move forward on their own.

Powerful Results, Measurable Impact

The service helps around 45 people each year. It aims to reduce emergency visits, ambulance callouts, and hospital stays by up to 40%. HIU is based on care, understanding, and respect.

The HIU service is not just reducing emergency visits — it gives people their lives back. For those who have long felt failed by the system, it offers something invaluable: hope, dignity, and the opportunity to move forward.

When does this take place?

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