Position Statements
‘Recognition of the need for more hospital and intermediate care beds welcome’ says SAM as UEC recovery plan published
Commenting on a new blueprint published today by NHS England and the government which aims to help recover urgent and emergency care services, reduce waiting times, and improve patient experience, Tim Cooksley, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “We welcome the urgent and emergency care recovery plan published today. Winter 2022 was very difficult…
Read More‘Growing number of 12-hour waits of particular concern’ – SAM president
Commenting on the release today (12 January) of the latest NHS performance data which shows ambulance response times and A&E waits are the worst on record, Dr Tim Cooksley, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “Everyone is aware of the extent of the crisis engulfing urgent and emergency care, even more so over…
Read MoreReality of NHS pressures “more intolerable and unbearable” than envisaged – SAM president
In response to questions about the factors behind the current situation in urgent and emergency care following statements made by the Prime Minister’s spokesperson and the health secretary (03 January), Dr Tim Cooksley, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “Whilst the Government was “up front” that the NHS was heading towards a winter…
Read MoreCurrent situation in urgent and emergency care “shocking” and requires four nation strategy
Commenting today (01 January) on the current situation in urgent and emergency care and the need for a four nation plan, Dr Tim Cooksley, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The current situation in urgent and emergency care is shocking. It is in a critical state for patients and it is an extremely…
Read MoreNHS pressurised like never before – former SAM president
Commenting today (30 December) on current pressures across the NHS, Dr Nick Scriven, former president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The NHS urgent care system feels to be pressurised like never before with numerous hospitals and services calling critical incidents. “This is the culmination of months increasing struggle which has been exacerbated by…
Read MoreSituation in urgent and emergency care “unbearable” – SAM president
Commenting today (21 December) on the current pressures in urgent and emergency care, Dr Tim Cooksley, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The situation in urgent and emergency care is unbearable for patients and staff. This is exemplified by the current situation in emergency departments. Patients are enduring unacceptable long waits for beds on acute medical units and…
Read More‘Increasingly intolerable strain on NHS and social care’ – SAM president
Commenting today (19 December) on current pressures across the NHS and social care, Dr Tim Cooksley, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “There is an increasingly intolerable strain on NHS and social care services. “Strikes from healthcare colleagues reflect the despair that many are feeling struggling to provide adequate patient care currently. “The upcoming…
Read More‘We are in deeply troubling times’ – SAM immediate past president
Commenting on the latest NHS performance data released today (08 December) which shows patients faced record A&E delays last month, Dr Susan Crossland, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “We are in deeply troubling times and the fact that such shocking levels of performance are now commonplace is reflective of just…
Read MoreSociety for Acute Medicine (SAM) statement of healthcare worker strike actions
NHS and social care are under immense strain. This is exemplified by the crisis seen in media reports about urgent and emergency care but is present throughout the healthcare system. These pressures result in unacceptable standards of care that are increasingly recognised to cause harm to patients. Urgent plans are required for both short-term and…
Read More‘Funding welcome but plans needed to increase capacity and workforce’ says SAM president
Commenting on today’s Autumn Statement (17 November) delivered by the chancellor which includes an extra £3.3 billion for the NHS in each of the next two years, Dr Tim Cooksley, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The NHS needs bold and deliverable plans to increase capacity and workforce so we can deliver the…
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