‘Performance data should bring sharp focus to the new Prime Minister’s first weeks’ – SAM president-elect (13 August)

Commenting on the latest NHS performance data released today (13 August), Dr Ragit Varia, president-elect of the Society for Acute Medicine, said:

“From permawinter to permaheat, there is no longer a quiet season for the NHS. Month after month, patients are left waiting far too long in overcrowded emergency departments, corridors and other unsuitable spaces.

“The latest figures show that 47,438 patients waited more than 12 hours from the decision to admit to admission in July – up 34% on the same month last year. That is 1,530 people every day experiencing delays that should never become normal.

“Behind every number is a patient who needs care and a member of staff working tirelessly in crowded, overheated and increasingly inhospitable conditions. Their professionalism continues to hold services together, but dedication cannot compensate indefinitely for insufficient capacity and poor patient flow.

“We agree with the Health and Social Care Secretary that the NHS must now plan for summer pressures as seriously as it plans for winter. But recognition must be followed by action. As extreme heat becomes a recurring challenge, hospitals need the capacity, workforce and infrastructure to keep patients safe and allow staff to work in tolerable conditions.

“The expansion of community mental health support is welcome, particularly where it enables people to receive appropriate specialist care without attending A&E. But announcements about future services cannot distract from the reality facing patients and staff today or substitute for action across the whole urgent and emergency care pathway.

“Plans to improve discharge are important, but a model on paper will not release a single hospital bed unless it is implemented consistently and backed by seven-day services, sufficient workforce and properly resourced community and social care.

“Patients do not need a different place to wait. They need the right care, in the right place, at the right time. These figures should bring a sharp focus to the new Prime Minister’s first weeks in office. Meaningful progress will depend on addressing the fundamentals – staffed beds, workforce, discharge capacity and services that allow patients to move safely through and out of hospital.”