Position Statements
Latest performance data shows an NHS under immense strain amid continuous crisis – SAM president
The latest NHS performance data (see individual sections), released today (08 June), shows among other things: * 74.% of patients were seen within four hours in all A&E departments in May compared to 74.6% in April 2023 and 72.8% in May 2022. The 95% standard was last met in July 2015. * 60.4% of patients…
Read MoreNHS workforce plan: ‘We cannot continue to haemorrhage staff‘ – SAM president
Commenting on reports featuring the government’s NHS workforce proposals, first published in The Sunday Times on Sunday, 04 June, Dr Tim Cooksley, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The much anticipated and eagerly awaited NHS workforce plan is now expected to be released on its 75th birthday. “This is almost unquestionably the most…
Read More‘Window of opportunity becoming increasingly narrow’ says SAM president
The latest NHS performance data published today (Thursday, 11 May) shows, among other things: Commenting on the data, Dr Tim Cooksley, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The NHS urgent and emergency care system remains under immense strain and current performance trends show we are heading for a winter period as severe as…
Read MoreSenior medics warn of “terrifying trajectory” in the NHS and what it means for winter
Senior medics have warned of a “terrifying trajectory” which is likely to see the the NHS face a more difficult winter than last year. The Society for Acute Medicine (SAM) said healthcare leaders must recognise there is now an “eternal winter” and plan accordingly. The organisation also called for the NHS workforce plan to be…
Read More‘Extremely troubled times ahead in urgent and emergency care’ says SAM president
The latest NHS performance data published today (Thursday, 13 April) shows, among other things: • 71.5% of patients were seen within four hours in all emergency departments in March 2023 and 56.8% in type 1 emergency departments. •There were 144,000 four-hour delays from decision to admit to admission, with 39,700 over 12 hours. •The number…
Read MoreSociety for Acute Medicine (SAM) statement on junior doctor strike
With junior doctors in England set to stage a four-day strike from tomorrow (Tuesday, 11 April), Dr Tim Cooksley, president of the Society for Acute Medicine (SAM), said: “NHS urgent and emergency care remains under immense strain. These pressures result in unacceptable standards of care that are increasingly recognised to cause harm to patients. “High…
Read More‘Damning data shows significant strain’ – SAM president
Commenting today (09 March) on the latest NHS performance data which shows, among other things, 71.5% of patients were seen within four hours in all A&E departments (56.8% of patients were seen within 4 hours in type 1 A&E departments) and 127,000 four-hour delays from decision to admit to admission with 35,000 of these delayed over…
Read MoreAcute Medicine: A policy vision for improving urgent and emergency (UEC) care
SAM Policy Document
Read More‘Strike action reflects these concerns and staff burn out’ – SAM president
Commenting on ongoing industrial action by a range of healthcare professionals, Dr Tim Cooksley, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “These remain extremely difficult times for all those working in health and social care. A workforce crisis is at the heart of the problem and there will be no NHS urgent and emergency…
Read More‘Intolerable situation in NHS will not be overcome without a people recovery’ – SAM president
Commenting on the latest NHS performance data released today which, among other things, shows 72.4% of patients were seen within four hours in all A&E departments (58.0% of patients were seen within four hours in type 1 A&E departments) and there were 142,000 four-hour delays from decision to admit to admission with 42,700 of these…
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