Press Releases

Writing in the BMJ, Dr Tim Cooksley, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine warns another winter of discontent looms for NHS urgent and emergency care. www.bmj.com/content/388/bmj.r6?_gl=11g1odfo_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gbraid=0AAAAADo8aFII82NIzGQCF1AgS5Uxv1IjI

Commenting in The Guardian (03 January) ahead of the Prime Minister’s elective recovery programme launch next week, Dr Tim Cooksley, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The innovative elements of the elective recovery plan are welcome. Direct access to services, reducing bureaucracy and streamlining processes are key implementations for NHS recovery.…

In response to an enquiry from The i Paper today (Tuesday, 24 December) about pressures on hospitals over the festive period, Dr Nick Murch, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “There is sustained pressure on the health service and no signs of a lull in pressure we may have seen in past years…

Commenting in The Times (13 December) on the number of 12-hour delays in A&E departments and regional variations, Dr Nick Murch, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The number of people waiting more than 12 hours is shocking and is a reflection of the failure to address workforce, capacity and social care problems…

Commenting on the latest NHS performance data released today (12 December), Dr Tim Cooksley, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “We warned last month of the desperate need for the government to turn its attention to the threat of winter and this data only intensifies the concern among clinicians of the…

Commenting today (09 December) on health and social care secretary Wes Streeting’s urgent talks with NHS leaders in England about how the service will cope this winter, Dr Tim Cooksley, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “It is concerning that the Secretary of State feels it reasonable to reiterate the need…

Commenting today (05 December) on the Prime Minister’s speech outlining priorities for the NHS and NHS England’s warning about winter pressures, Dr Tim Cooksley, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “Pressures throughout the system are perfectly and bleakly illustrated in urgent and emergency care where patients experience appalling conditions and prolonged…

Commenting on Labour’s plan to commit to the restoration of the 92% referral to treatment (RTT) target by March 2029, as reported in The Times today (02 December), Dr Tim Cooksley, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The concern that urgent and emergency care will experience a continued crisis is well placed.  “The…

Commenting today (1 December) on the implications assisted dying will have on the NHS and the announcement of the launch of a palliative care commission, Dr Tim Cooksley, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The assisted dying debate brings into focus another area in the NHS and social care where resourcing…