‘Deeper crisis this winter is simply unavoidable’ says SAM

Please find below a statement from the Society for Acute Medicine in relation to today’s press release (07 December) issued by NHS England.

Dr Tim Cooksley, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “This trajectory is not unexpected but the reality is that recovery plans for the NHS are well behind schedule in urgent and emergency care and a deeper crisis this winter is simply unavoidable.

“Pressures are being exacerbated by increasing rates of sickness among colleagues, as well as pressures on precious resources such as isolation areas and side rooms, adding to the strain on already overstretched services.

“Yet there remains a lack of understanding of the gravity of the situation given the health secretary Victoria Atkins as recently as last weekend, while prioritising the winter crisis, does not recognise it as already being here.

“Undoubtedly we will see more older patients enduring prolonged degrading periods of corridor care and many people experiencing difficult symptoms whilst they sit on elective waiting lists.

“Most hospitals are already experiencing chaotic and dangerous scenarios. The recently published right place, right care report from senior frontline clinical staff is a stark illustration of what patients and staff experienced last winter and is a tragic preview to the next few months.

“Meaningful crisis talks with genuine output are critical both to deliver essential short-term mitigation and the long-term light at the end of the tunnel so desperately needed by patients and staff alike.”