‘Data illustrates appalling extent of winter crisis’ – SAM past president (09 January)

Commenting on the release today (09 January) of the latest NHS monthly performance data, Dr Tim Cooksley, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “This data, which shows 12-hour waits in emergency departments up 23.6% on last year at more than 54,000, further illustrates the appalling extent of the current winter crisis. Increasing numbers of hospitals are needing to declare critical incidents. 

“The reality for patients and staff is corridors full of patients experiencing degrading care, being treated in the backs of ambulances because there is simply no space in hospital and the immense physical and emotional harm that inevitably results. 

“This was predictable and inevitable given that hospitals were bursting at the seams before the “quad-demic” of winter viruses hit.

“The fundamental issue is that there is a continued lack of capacity throughout the year: a tough flu season must not be used as a political excuse for the current situation. 

“Its foundations are much deeper and unless we address those, we are doomed to witness the same scenario for the foreseeable future.

“It is also deeply flawed to believe we can deliver an elective recovery whilst there remains a crisis in urgent and emergency care.

“We must now address these issues of capacity and workforce. They are not quick to do so; thus the need to start that journey now is imperative. 

“Artificial quick wins are failing and will inevitably continue to do so.”