Urgent and emergency care is under unprecedented strain – SAM past president
Commenting on a report published today (15 November) by the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives entitled ‘Delayed hospital handovers: Impact assessment of patient harm’, Dr Nick Scriven, past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said:
“Urgent and emergency care is under unprecedented strain and there is no hope of resolving the wider NHS system problems – like cutting waiting lists and capacity issues – until this is sorted out as it goes hand in hand.
“What we are now seeing are more cracks appearing in what was already a very weak NHS infrastructure, so we need to see a clear focus from NHS leaders on ensuring adequate staffing, facilities and initiatives to help alleviate pressures.
“Paramount to this is supporting staff in the NHS who are working under severe and previously inconceivable strain and collaborating with subject matter expert groups such as SAM to implement solutions.”
More from SAM
More news, statements and updates from the Society for Acute Medicine.
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“13% rise in 12-hour waits should set alarm bells ringing” – SAM president (08 October)
Commenting on the latest NHS performance data released today (08 October) Dr Vicky Price, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “A 13% year-on-year rise in 12-hour emergency department waits as winter approaches should set alarm bells ringing. “More than 50,000 patients waited over 12 hours from the decision to admit to admission in…
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“Sustained pressure increases risk” – SAM immediate past president (27 September)
Commenting in an article in The Sun on a rise in clinical negligence claims against A&E departments, Dr Nick Murch, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “Rising demand, overcrowding, long waits and staff shortages all create a more difficult environment in which to deliver safe, timely care. “Reduced bed capacity can…
Society for Acute Medicine
Setting the standard. Improving acute care.