Current pressures on hospitals among “worst ever seen” says SAM past president (08 January)

Commenting on pressures across the NHS this week (08 January), Dr Tim Cooksley, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The NHS and social care services remain under immense pressure with many colleagues reporting this is the worst it has ever been in their hospitals.

“Each part of the system continues to experience demand beyond its capacity which exacerbates the problem. This is most vividly illustrated in urgent and emergency care. 

“The media is full of pictures of patients in corridors; long queues of ambulances outside of emergency departments and stories of horrific patient experiences: this is seen and experienced by frontline staff every day. It is an appalling situation.

“This winter the “quad-demic” of influenza, Covid-19, respiratory syncytial virus and norovirus has predictably overwhelmed already over-crowded hospitals. 

“The current occupancy levels of hospitals means that any measurable increase in attendances will tip many into critical incidents. This has been occurring daily.

“Reducing elective waiting lists, as set out by the Prime Minister this week, is essential but there will be no elective recovery without emergency care recovery.

“Each month around 50,000 patients are waiting over 12 hours for an acute bed in emergency departments. Many of these patients are older and frail with several medical conditions. 

“Pressures are at unsustainable levels and the results are scant justice for healthcare staff who strive to deliver a reasonable quality of care for the patients we serve. Staff and patients alike are desperate for an improvement. 

“A coherent, co-ordinated whole-system approach, including social care, that focuses on increasing capacity and workforce is required. 

“Continued disappointments, suffering and cancellations for patients awaiting elective care and distressing, delayed care for those needing emergency care will continue to permeate until this is delivered.”