‘Underlying problems remain unresolved’ – SAM president (11 June)

Commenting on the latest NHS performance data published today (11 June), Dr Vicky Price, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said:

“Just days after new analysis highlighted the devastating toll associated with long waits in emergency departments, today’s figures show that the underlying problems remain unresolved, with 50,212 patients waiting more than 12 hours from the decision to admit to admission.

“To put it starkly, that means 1,620 people affected by this every day, which is 17.1% higher than the same period last year – highlighting the contrast between rhetoric around improvement and reality on the ground. 

“There is understandable determination to end corridor care, but moving patients into waiting rooms, temporary escalation areas or bedded same day emergency care units is not the solution it appears to be. It is overcrowding and delay that cause harm, not simply the location of a patient.

“Frontline clinicians are increasingly concerned that we are seeing the ‘gamification’ of performance rather than genuine improvement. An empty corridor means little if the same patients are waiting elsewhere in conditions that are no safer or more dignified.

“If we want to reduce harm, we must focus on the fundamentals: staffed beds, workforce, discharge pathways and social care. Until then, patients will continue to experience unacceptable delays and staff will continue to work under relentless pressure.”