News
1,450 patients a day experienced delays of over 12 hours last month – SAM statement (10 September)
Commenting on the release today of the latest NHS performance data, Dr Vicky Price, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “Today’s figures show that 44,951 patients waited more than 12 hours in emergency departments from decision to admit to admission in August, up 25.2% on last year. That means 1,450 patients a day…
Read More‘NAO’s findings end suggestion marginal A&E improvements are enough’ – SAM president (9 September)
Commenting on the National Audit Office report into NHS A&E performance published today (9 September), Dr Vicky Price, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The NAO’s findings should end any suggestion that marginal improvements are enough. Patients are still waiting far too long, and progress remains too slow. “The result is greater overcrowding,…
Read MoreStatement on the impact of extreme heat on healthcare services in the UK (14 August)
The UK is currently gripped by its fifth heatwave of the year. At time of writing, all of England is subject to an amber heat health alert, meaning ‘significant impact is likely across health and social care’. Drought is declared across the country, and devastating fires threaten both lives and infrastructure. We are all feeling…
Read More‘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.…
Read MorePresident’s Fully Funded Places: SAMGlasgow conference
Introduction The Society for Acute Medicine (SAM) has long been at the forefront of supporting healthcare professionals in the field of acute medicine, recognising the importance of continuous learning and development of clinical roles. This is especially true of the wider Acute Medicine MDT. To help remove financial barriers to conference participation, SAM has established…
Read More‘Ending corridor care must improve care, not simply change where patients wait’ – SAM president-elect (30 July)
Commenting on analysis published today (30 July) by the Nuffield Trust which shows that patients over 80 are worst affected by very long waits in emergency care, Dr Ragit Varia, president-elect of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The Nuffield Trust’s analysis provides further evidence that prolonged waits for hospital admission have become normalised across…
Read MoreAcute Medicine Career & Capability Framework for Nurses
Today the Society for Acute Medicine is proud to share the release of the SAM Acute Medicine Nurse Capability Framework – Phase 1. Hannah Hegarty, SAM Nursing Representative I’m genuinely excited to share that from 27th July 2026, we’re launching the evaluation study for the SAM Acute Medicine Nurse Capability Framework – Phase 1. As…
Read MoreSAM welcomes early focus on winter planning, accountability and collaboration (17 July)
Commenting on the publication today (17 July) of NHS England’s ‘Winter planning 2026/27 – expectations and assurance’ letter, Dr Ragit Varia, president-elect of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “Health services do not experience pressure only in winter. Urgent and emergency care is under significant, sustained pressure throughout the year, with winter illnesses highly likely…
Read MoreVacancy: Member of the Acute Medicine Specialty Certificate Examining Board
The Society for Acute Medicine and the Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK are seeking to appoint a member of the SCE Acute Medicine Examining Board. The successful applicant will assist the Chair and Medical Secretary in the running of the SCE to ensure that all academic objectives and standards set…
Read More“Unbearable conditions” for patients and staff as 12-hours waits rise by 28% (09 July)
Commenting on the latest NHS performance data released today, Dr Vicky Price, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “Today’s figures, including 49,466 patients waiting more than 12 hours from the decision to admit to admission – up 28% on last year – show that urgent and emergency care is under severe and sustained…
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