News
‘Acute medicine as a specialty has never been more important’: Future Healthcare Journal explores the future of NHS acute medical services
The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has published the latest issue of Future Healthcare Journal (FHJ) bringing together expert insight on the future of acute care in the NHS. Guest edited by consultant acute physician and Society for Acute Medicine (SAM) England representative Dr Anika Wijewardane, the June 2026 edition of FHJ focuses on how acute care must evolve to meet rising patient demand, workforce…
Read More‘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…
Read More‘AI must be implemented within a safe, transparent and trusted framework’ – SAM president-elect (09 June)
Dr Ragit Varia, president-elect of the Society for Acute Medicine, commented in The Guardian on the Medical Protection Society’s (MPS) call for the Government to address the “widening gulf” between the law and the rapidly evolving use of AI in healthcare. He said: “Artificial intelligence has enormous potential to support clinicians, improve patient flow and…
Read MoreLong wait death figures “a source of national shame” – SAM president (08 June)
Please find below statement from the Society for Acute Medicine relating to Royal College of Emergency Medicine analysis which shows the estimated number of deaths linked to long waits in Emergency Departments across England has surged almost tenfold over the past decade. Dr Vicky Price, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “These figures are…
Read MoreHospice funding must be recognised as a patient flow and hospital safety issue, says Society for Acute Medicine (04 June)
The Society for Acute Medicine (SAM) has backed calls for immediate and sustainable funding for hospices, warning that pressures on palliative and community services are increasingly being felt across acute hospitals. SAM president Dr Vicky Price joined MPs, peers and representatives from across the health and care sector this week in delivering a letter to 10…
Read MoreSAM Position Statement – Clarifying the difference between EEMAC and Medical SDEC
FAMUS Bursary Applications Now Open
The FAMUS working group are looking to award up to four educational bursaries worth up to£500 each. These awards are looking to support clinicians to develop or undertake projectswhich involve POCUS in improving patient care. We encourage applications from any cliniciansfor any project that is associated with point of care ultrasound. The working group will…
Read MoreCorridor care being “disguised rather than resolved” – SAM president (14 May)
Commenting on the latest NHS performance data released today (14 May), Dr Vicky Price, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “Although there is a desire centrally to show progress on corridor care, the reality on the ground among clinicians is that, in many areas, the problem is being disguised rather than resolved. “SAM…
Read More‘Good performance should not simply mean lower admission rates’ – SAM president (13 May)
Commenting in the HSJ on analysis which shows around 15 per cent of emergency admissions at some trusts are potentially avoidable, Dr Vicky Price, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “Variation in potentially avoidable admissions between trusts is likely to reflect a combination of factors, including local access to alternatives such as same…
Read MoreInternational Nurses Day, 12 May 2026: Get Involved!
The Society for Acute Medicine is proud to support International Nurses Day on 12 May, and we’re asking all members to get involved. This year, we’re gathering real patient feedback to celebrate the incredible work of our acute medical nursing teams. Please share the QR-coded poster and printable version with your patients during your tea rounds on 12…
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