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.”