Our research
Improving Urgent and Emergency Care in Rural and Coastal Communities. Shaping better services through research and public insight.
People living in rural and coastal communities often face unique challenges when accessing urgent and emergency care (UEC) services. Improving how these services are delivered in these areas is a national priority for both the NHS and the UK government.
In 2024, NHS England launched a two-year action plan to help reduce pressure on UEC services. However, it’s still unclear how services in rural and coastal areas are responding to this plan — and how best to organise care to meet local needs.
The Elevate Study, led by the University of Birmingham and the University of York, is exploring how UEC is currently delivered in rural and coastal parts of England, what’s working well, and what could be improved.
Our approach
To understand the complex issues around UEC in rural and coastal areas, we will use both qualitative and quantitative research methods. This means we will collect and analyse different types of information—such as numbers, interviews, and observations—to build a complete picture of how UEC services work and how they affect people’s lives.
We also work closely with communities and stakeholders to ensure our research reflects real experiences and needs. Our research is organised into three workstreams:
National Service Map
Mapping UEC services in rural and coastal communities
Statistical Analysis
Analysing innovative models of care using quantitative data routinely collected by NHS England
Qualitative Analysis
Conducting case studies of selected UEC models, including interviews with patients and carers about their experiences.