Position Statements
Joint statement on inappropriate use of weight loss drugs – SAM and Digital Clinical Excellence Forum (DiCE) UK (09 August)
The Society for Acute Medicine (SAM) and Digital Clinical Excellence Forum (DiCE) UK share the concerns raised by NHS England’s medical director regarding the inappropriate use of weight loss drugs to get “beach body ready”, as outlined in a statement issued by SAM in June. Anecdotal evidence suggests that patients are attending hospital with serious complications and may…
Read MoreMoral injury in acute medicine (07 Aug)
Recently I had to have a few minutes in my office to regroup after I’d seen a patient. I didn’t quite know how to process my feelings. I was feeling ashamed and upset. My patient had been in our waiting room for over 18 hours. He was a bilateral amputee and a wheelchair user. His…
Read MoreSAM statement on disorder across the UK (05 August)
The Society for Acute Medicine represents a diverse workforce committed to urgent and emergency care. We condemn the recent violence across the United Kingdom and stand by our members of all backgrounds. We are one acute medicine family who deserve to be treated with the respect that we give to all of our patients.
Read More‘Conclusion we are less prepared for a pandemic today indisputable’ – SAM past president (19 July)
Commenting on an enquiry from The Guardian and The Observer about whether the UK is better or worse prepared today compared to 2020 following the findings outlined in the Covid inquiry, Dr Tim Cooksley, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The conclusion that we are less prepared for a pandemic as…
Read More‘Degrading and harmful corridor care a national emergency’ – SAM past president (11 July)
Commenting on the latest NHS performance data released today (11 July), Dr Tim Cooksley, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “Degrading and harmful corridor care in urgent and emergency services has received insufficient attention during the election period. Thousands of patients are being irreversibly harmed every month. This is not just…
Read More‘Data highlights appalling situation in urgent and emergency care’ – SAM past president (02 July)
Commenting on Labour Party data which showed some patients waited up to 10 days in A&E in parts of England over the last year, Dr Tim Cooksley, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “This data is yet more evidence of the appalling situation in urgent and emergency care. These patients are…
Read MoreSocial media adverts promoting weight loss drugs “extremely worrying” says SAM president-elect (28 June)
Commenting on an investigation by The Times into social media adverts promoting weight loss treatments “to get summer ready”, Dr Vicky Price, a consultant in acute medicine and president-elect of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “These adverts and the messages they are conveying are extremely worrying, particularly given the patients we are seeing with…
Read MoreSenior doctor warns of increased pressures due to hot weather ahead of impending strike action (26 June)
The president of the Society for Acute Medicine has warned of increased pressure on the NHS amid the current hot weather and ahead of the next period of industrial action which starts tomorrow. Dr Nick Murch said clinicians were already experiencing “significant” pressure that will be exacerbated by strike action by junior doctors which runs…
Read MoreSAM SDEC Position Statement May 2024
Same Day Emergency Care: A need to pause and Reset! The recommendations in this statement aim to reinforce and complement the recent joint guidance from Society for Acute Medicine (SAM) and Royal College of Emergency Medicine2 explicitly acknowledging these principles, outlining what medical SDEC is and, as importantly, isn’t. To view the recommendations see below
Read MoreSAM president says ‘shame of dangerous waits and overcrowding must end’ following release of 12-hour wait data (24 June)
Commenting on data released by the Liberal Democrats today (Monday, 24 June) which shows 440,000 patients waited 12 hours or more in emergency departments last year, Dr Nick Murch, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The Liberal Democrats’ continued focus on health and social care and, in particular, dangerous waits and overcrowding in…
Read More