Commenting in The Times (13 December) on the number of 12-hour delays in A&E departments and regional variations, Dr Nick Murch, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The number of people waiting more than 12 hours is shocking and is a reflection of the failure to address workforce, capacity and social care problems across the system – it all leads back to those fundamental issues.
“It is a truly 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.
“Caring for patients in often inappropriate environments not only provides a poor and undignified patient experience, it poses significant risks including increased risk of severe, and sometimes fatal, harm.
“Older patients in particular bear the brunt of these waits.
“While regional variations exist due to many factors, including higher prevalence of health conditions, areas of deprivation and restricted access to health and social care services, this is a national crisis which needs urgent intervention.”