Position Statements
“13% rise in 12-hour waits should set alarm bells ringing” – SAM president (08 October)
Commenting on the latest NHS performance data released today (08 October) Dr Vicky Price, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “A 13% year-on-year rise in 12-hour emergency department waits as winter approaches should set alarm bells ringing. “More than 50,000 patients waited over 12 hours from the decision to admit to admission in…
Read More“Transfer is not treatment” – SAM responds to HSSIB mental health crisis report (17 September)
Commenting today (17 September) on the HSSIB’s report Mental health crisis care: care of patients in Emergency Departments Dr Vicky Price, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “People experiencing a mental health crisis deserve timely, specialist care in an environment that is safe, appropriate and therapeutic. Too often, that is not what they receive.…
Read MoreNHS England “should focus on the fundamentals” – SAM President (11 September)
Commenting in The BMJ (11 September) on NHS winter planning following comments made by NHS Chair Penny Dash at a King’s Fund event, Dr Vicky Price, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “Penny Dash is right that the NHS cannot keep producing the same winter plan and expecting a different result. The pressures…
Read More1,450 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 MoreDHSC investment “will fall short” of climate change recommendations – ecoSAM sustainability lead (09 September)
Commenting on the Department of Health and Social Care’s £1.5 billion investment to help NHS hospitals withstand year-round pressure, Dr Jamie Phillips, ecoSAM sustainability lead at the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “There are welcome points in the DHSC announcement, in particular the recognition of ‘year-round’ pressures caused by extreme weather. “The statement emphasises the…
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 MoreSAM response to government’s mental health announcement (05 August)
Commenting on the government’s announcement of an expansion of community mental health support across England (05 August), Dr Nick Murch, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “This is a positive development for patients and will go some way in reducing pressures on A&E and acute medical units which have had the…
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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