Position Statements
Services to prevent hospital admissions “must be protected not cut” – SAM president (12 January)
Dr Vicky Price, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, features in a BBC News in-depth feature published today (12 January) on the impact of delayed discharges on patients, clinicians and the NHS. She also featured on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme (starts 2:46:20). Dr Price’s comments in full: “There has been lots of good work done [to…
Read MoreSAM president sounds alarm over government’s focus on ‘online hospitals’ while patients suffer “unprecedented harm” (08 January)
Society for Acute Medicine president Dr Vicky Price has raised concerns over the government’s focus on future digital developments such the NHS online hospital initiative while patients seeking emergency care are suffering “unprecedented harm”. She said while developments to reduce waits for some patients are welcome, there is “no excuse” for failing to acknowledge and…
Read MoreSituation in hospitals “already truly shocking” – SAM president (15 December)
Dr Vicky Price, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, commented in today’s Guardian ( 15 December) on a new report released by the Health Foundation which suggests hospitals will have fewer beds available this winter than usual because “delayed discharges” – beds occupied by people who are medically fit to leave but have nowhere…
Read More‘Corridor care on an unprecedented scale’ – SAM president (11 December)
Commenting on the latest NHS performance data released today (11 December), Dr Vicky Price, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The latest NHS monthly performance data released today paints a sadly familiar picture of a system under relentless strain. “With record 12-hour waits continuing to mount – 50,648 last month, up 10.6% on…
Read MoreSAM president says 55,000 12-hour delays “deeply concerning” ahead of winter months (13 November)
Commenting on the release today (13 November) of the latest NHS performance data, Dr Vicky Price, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The latest performance data highlights the strain on the NHS, with patients enduring prolonged waits for assessment and care, beds full and staff exhausted – and this is before we hit…
Read MoreFewer than one in five acutely unwell patients first assessed on specialist acute medical units, warns SAM (10 October)
Patients are being left in hospital corridors for dangerously long periods and missing timely access to specialist care, the Society for Acute Medicine (SAM) has warned. Latest data, presented at the Society’s bi-annual conference in Manchester, showed fewer than one in five acutely unwell medical patients are receiving their first assessment in an acute medical unit (AMU).…
Read More‘15% rise in 12-hour waits a stark warning’ says SAM president (09 October)
Commenting on the release today (09 October) of the latest monthly NHS performance data, Dr Vicky Price, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The 15% rise in 12-hour waits in emergency departments is a stark warning that urgent and emergency care across the UK is in a state of national emergency. “Nearly 1,500 people…
Read More‘NHS winter announcements will come as little comfort to public and staff’ – SAM president (16 September)
Commenting on NHS England’s press release ‘Stress tests’ and pre-winter check-ins as NHS ramps up winter prep, published today (Tuesday, 16 September), Dr Nick Murch, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “We welcome the fact that planning for this winter is being prioritised, and seemingly earlier than previous years. However, while NHS England…
Read MoreFigures ‘lay bare ongoing crisis in acute care’ says SAM past president (11 September)
Commenting on the latest NHS performance data released today (11 September) which shows, among other things, the number of people waiting 12 hours or more in emergency departments has increased by 26% on last year at 35,909, Dr Tim Cooksley, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The latest NHS performance figures…
Read MoreSAM “remains deeply concerned” about publication of NHS league tables (09 September)
Commenting on the launch today (09 September) of NHS performance league tables as part of the NHS oversight framework 2025/26, Dr Nick Murch, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “While we welcome transparency in NHS performance, we remain deeply concerned about the publication of league tables which have been released for the first time…
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