Accident prevention activities: A national survey of health authorities

Abstract

Objective To explore how health authorities in England are participating in the planning and development of accident prevention initiatives, particularly in relation to their partnership work.

Design Postal questionnaire.

Setting All health authorities in England.

Method A questionnaire was sent to the director of health promotion/ lead officer of all the health authorities in England. They were asked for information about priorities, strategies, data collection and joint working. Results A response rate of 93 per cent was achieved. Sixty-eight per cent of districts had accidents as one of their top five priorities. A quarter (25 per cent) of districts did not have an accident prevention strategy. The majority (81 per cent), of districts were dissatisfied with their current position in relation to the collection of data. Recent changes in national policy were seen as positive to accident prevention work. However, lack of resources was seen as an important barrier.

Conclusion There appears to be some considerable differences in the activities of health authorities, particularly in relation to partnership work and accident prevention strategies. Recommendations to emerge include the need for national action in relation to the collection of data, and the need for further investigation into the resource issue.