Commenting on the release today (12 January) of the latest NHS performance data which shows ambulance response times and A&E waits are the worst on record, Dr Tim Cooksley, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said:
“Everyone is aware of the extent of the crisis engulfing urgent and emergency care, even more so over the past two weeks – it is shocking and it is why the Prime Minister had no option but to call a meeting to hastily announce some short-term interim measures last weekend.
“Experts had expected December’s performance figures to be the worst on record for emergency departments so it is not a surprise. The growing number of patients waiting over 12 hours in EDs is of particular concern and reflects a lack of flow throughout hospitals and, in particular, the challenges of accessing beds on acute medical units.
“Older and vulnerable patients are particularly affected by these delays. There will be no significant recovery or improvement in urgent and emergency care until acute medical units alongside emergency departments are able to facilitate high quality and timely care for acutely unwell medical patients with excellent flow through the system.
“We also need to reiterate that political leaders across the UK need to work together to deliver four nation emergency strategy which results in short-term stabilisation, medium-term improvement and long-term growth for the NHS.
“At the heart of those must be sustainable and long-term workforce and capacity plans which have long been called for but are yet to come to fruition.
“There are also multiple recommendations made by SAM and some royal colleges first outlined in 2020 that are required to transform urgent and emergency care in the NHS.
“We are yet to see movement on many of these yet we know things will worsen further over the coming months, so it is important leaders continue to work with all essential clinical groups to ensure short-term stabilisation.”