Patients waiting for prolonged periods for urgent care “deeply concerning” – SAM past president
Commenting on the Hospital Accident & Emergency Activity 2021-22 data report published today (15 September) by NHS Digital, Dr Nick Scriven, former president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said:
“We have warned that it is essential the number of patients waiting for prolonged periods for urgent care must not be seen as the new normal – so these numbers are deeply concerning.
“We and many others have issued warnings for many years about the growing crisis across the NHS and in social care and our worst fears are now a reality.
“Combined with extortionate delays, patients continue to experience overcrowding in acute care settings with flow throughout the system impaired. This will have grave consequences as we move through the year.
“We are seeing worse outcomes due to the length of time patients are stuck in emergency departments and acute medical units (AMUs) and paramedics are routinely unable to transfer their patients into hospitals and get back on the road.
“The new health secretary has to act swiftly and set out an immediate and comprehensive plan to increase workforce and capacity as a starting point to try to halt this spiral.”
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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.