Health Foundation analysis illustrates “immense strain” on urgent and emergency care – SAM president

A new analysis published today (Friday, 23 June) by the Health Foundation shows that 800,000 (12%) fewer patients in England were admitted to hospital in 2022 than in 2019, while the average length of stay in hospital increased. Commenting on the report, Dr Tim Cooksley, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The Health Foundation report is a further illustration of…

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‘Damning data shows significant strain’ – SAM president

Commenting today (09 March) on the latest NHS performance data which shows, among other things, 71.5% of patients were seen within four hours in all A&E departments (56.8% of patients were seen within 4 hours in type 1 A&E departments) and 127,000 four-hour delays from decision to admit to admission with 35,000 of these delayed over…

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‘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…

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Reality 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…

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NHS 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…

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Situation 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…

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‘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…

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