‘Repeated rhetoric and gimmicks won’t prevent further unbearable winters’ – SAM president (30 January)

Commenting on the publication today (30 January) of NHS England’s 2025/26 priorities and operational planning guidance, Dr Nick Murch, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The current situation is dire. The summer was spent largely at winter levels of pressure and, unsurprisingly, when we entered winter hospitals were overrun.  “There is nothing new in the…

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Weight loss drug complications “not slowing down” says SAM president-elect (18 January)

Commenting in the Mail on Sunday (18 Jan) on an investigation which found hundreds of people are being hospitalised after suffering serious reactions to weight loss drugs, Dr Vicky Price, president-elect of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The Society for Acute Medicine warned last year about the number of patients attending hospitals with complications…

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Elective recovery plan “hollow and ill-fated” for failing to acknowledge role of social care and urgent and emergency care (06 January)

Commenting on the NHS elective recovery plan announced officially today by the Prime Minister, Dr Tim Cooksley, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The aim to reduce elective waiting times and the more innovative aspects of the plan are welcome.  “However, in the middle of a winter of discontent this is hollow…

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SAM past president warns of “dire” months ahead for patients and staff (03 January)

Commenting on the release today (Friday, 03 January 2025) of the latest weekly NHS data, Dr Tim Cooksley, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The “quad-demic” has entirely predictably plunged many hospitals into critical incident.  “The lack of bed capacity with hospitals being overstretched throughout the year means there was no…

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