Press
‘Essential virtual wards are appropriately planned, resourced and staffed’ – SAM president
Commenting on the development of virtual wards and the need for careful implementation (reported today 07 January by the Health Service Journal), Dr Tim Cooksley, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “Urgent and emergency care services remain under huge pressure with concerns regarding overcrowding, delays in patient care and exhausted staff with increasing…
Read More‘Ambulance in a room proposal moving not tackling problems’ says SAM past president
Commenting on the announcement of a pilot of ambulance “arrival lounges” at emergency departments, Dr Susan Crossland, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “Following the announcement this week effectively forbidding ambulance handover delays by hospitals comes the launch of airport-style ‘arrival lounges’ in A&Es, with neither offering realistic solutions to the current…
Read More‘Areas of the NHS currently experiencing conditions outside of anyone’s experience’ – SAM past president
Commenting on current pressures on the NHS (25 October), Dr Nick Scriven, past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “Areas of the NHS are currently experiencing conditions outside of anyone’s experience and this comes hot on the heels of two years of unrelenting pressure. “The reality will no doubt be more dire than…
Read MoreAcute medicine ‘integral to front and back door of hospitals’ – SAM president
Following the release today (14 October) of the latest NHS performance data, Dr Tim Cooksley, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “This data presents a worrying picture as we are moving further away from an NHS that can provide the best possible care to all who need it promptly and closer to one…
Read MoreNHS “clinging on by fingernails” says SAM president
In response to reports the NHS is “recovering well” following comments made at NHS England’s board meeting today (Thursday, 30 September), Dr Susan Crossland, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “We support Amanda Pritchard’s praise for the hard work of staff across the NHS, but we should be clear that the NHS is…
Read More‘Performance data shows dire state of affairs’ – SAM president
Following the release today (09 September 2021) of the latest NHS performance data, Dr Susan Crossland, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “Despite the distractions of funding announcements this week, this data shows the dire state of affairs we are in well before we embark on the challenges of winter. “These targets were…
Read MoreTalk of billions can’t hide failure to get the basics right for so long – SAM president
Following today’s announcement by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on NHS and social care funding (07 September), Dr Susan Crossland, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The figures may look significant when talk of billions is involved but people shouldn’t be distracted from the reality which is that the additional funds for the NHS…
Read MoreProposed NHS funding ‘falls far short’ says SAM president
Ahead of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement on NHS and social care funding (which is suggested to be in the region of £5.5 billion) tomorrow (07 September), Dr Susan Crossland, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “We know this funding falls far short of what NHS leaders have said is required and any…
Read MoreNHS staff ‘pretty much running on empty’ – SAM past president
Following the release today (12 August) of the latest NHS performance data, Dr Nick Scriven, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “We are pretty much running on empty after 20 months of unrelenting pressure culminating now in what is really unprecedented demand at this time of year. “Staff are stressed and…
Read MoreSAM president welcomes new NHS England chief executive
Following the announcement of Amanda Pritchard as the new chief executive of NHS England, Dr Susan Crossland, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “We welcome news of Amanda’s appointment and we wish her well in the role, particularly as she will take the reins at such a challenging time. “There will be lots…
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