Position Statements
12-hour waits “a dire situation” for patients – SAM immediate past president (10 October)
Commenting on the latest NHS performance data released today (10 October), Dr Tim Cooksley, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “This latest data emphasises yet again the scale of the problems we face this winter given the significant increase in 12-hour waits on the same time last year – up more…
Read More‘Latest performance data shows scale of the short-term challenge’ says SAM president (12 September)
Following the release today (Thursday, 12 September) of Lord Darzi’s independent investigation into the NHS in England and the latest NHS performance data, Dr Nick Murch, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “As the government sets out its long-term agenda in response to the Darzi report today, the latest monthly performance data demonstrates…
Read MoreDarzi investigation will highlight problems raised over many years – SAM president (11 September)
Ahead of the publication of Lord Darzi’s NHS investigation tomorrow (Thursday, 12 September), Dr Nick Murch, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The Darzi report will highlight all the problems and failings we and many other organisations have been vocal about for many years. “Its publication will coincide with the release of the…
Read More‘BMJ research shows dangers of high occupancy rates, poor staffing and overcrowding’ – SAM immediate past president (23 August)
Commenting on a study published in the journal BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care which reported many older patients in the last six months of their lives are being needlessly over-investigated, Dr Tim Cooksley, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “Capacity and overcrowding in hospitals means it takes longer to individualise and…
Read MoreJoint 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 More‘Data shows significant challenge new government faces’ – SAM president (08 August)
Commenting on the latest NHS performance data released today (08 August), Dr Nick Murch, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “This latest data demonstrates what a significant challenge the new government faces in trying to exit the crisis being experienced across the NHS – and particularly within urgent and emergency care. “Despite the…
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…
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