‘PM’s speech woefully under-represents conditions currently being experienced by NHS patients and staff’ – SAM president
Commenting on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak‘s speech earlier today (04 January) in which he outlined how “NHS waiting lists will fall and people will get the care they need more quickly”, Dr Tim Cooksley, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The PM’s comments seem to overlook the fact there will be no elective recovery without resolving the desperate issues in urgent and emergency care.
“Workforce and capacity remain the two main aspects of recovery to ensure that safe, sustainable and world class acute care can be delivered.
“It is imperative that, politically, urgent and emergency care recovery is given the same importance as elective – non-urgent – recovery.
“The PM’s speech today continues to woefully under-represent the appalling and insufferable conditions currently being experienced by NHS patients and staff.
“This will not engender a belief that the situation will improve in the short term and urgent actions remain imperative to ensure greater harms do not occur.”
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.