SAM past president warns of “dire” months ahead for patients and staff (03 January)

Commenting on the release today (Friday, 03 January 2025) of the latest weekly NHS data, Dr Tim Cooksley, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The “quad-demic” has entirely predictably plunged many hospitals into critical incident. 

“The lack of bed capacity with hospitals being overstretched throughout the year means there was no ability to cope with the inevitable strain of winter viruses – let alone a tough flu season. 

“This has led to increased degrading corridor care, prolonged waits and the resulting patient harm – and the further predicted cold snap will exacerbate this. 

“It will be a dire few months for patients and staff in urgent and emergency care and throughout the entire NHS and social care system. 

“There is no light at the end of the tunnel and the delaying of the social care reform review is deeply disappointing and misguided: ensuring overcrowded hospitals, delays to care and resultant deaths for at least another five years. This is not acceptable.

“Demand will for healthcare will not reduce. We need to restore patient and staff confidence that people will receive timely and high-quality care. The current stasis in decision-making is unconscionable.”