Commenting on the latest NHS performance data released today (10 October), Dr Tim Cooksley, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “This latest data emphasises yet again the scale of the problems we face this winter given the significant increase in 12-hour waits on the same time last year – up more than 20% on last year at 38,880 patients.
“This is a dire situation for the patients who are left receiving degrading corridor care and for staff who are stretched to their limits and are having to provide care in inappropriate environments.
“The trajectory is worrying and presents a very concerning outlook for the months ahead. Light at the end of the tunnel is becoming increasingly distant.
“The fundamental problems of workforce and capacity issues will not be resolved naturally and, with the absence of plans and actions to address this, we know things will head in only one direction.”