Press Releases
Figures clearly show pressure the system is under – SAM past president
Following today’s release of the latest NHS performance data, Dr Nick Scriven, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “Pressure has been rising substantially in many parts of the country over recent weeks with growing concerns of overcrowding in both emergency and acute medical units, compromising infection control and patient safety. “This is being…
Read MoreSAM submission to Health and Social Care Committee’s pandemic inquiry
The Society for Acute Medicine has made a submission to the Health and Social Care Committee’s ‘Delivering Core NHS and Care Services during the Pandemic and Beyond’ inquiry ahead of its latest evidence session today (Tuesday, 16 June). In the letter, available to download here (Health and Social Care Committee submission), Dr Susan Crossland, president…
Read MoreSenior medics call for urgent preparations for “winter like no other” in the NHS
Senior medics have called for urgent preparations to be put in place now to contend with a “winter like no other” in the NHS this year as hospitals face the prospect of managing COVID-19 alongside seasonal viruses and other pressures. Dr Nick Scriven, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said action was…
Read MoreTop doctor urges PM to stop playing “fast and loose” with data
Following today Prime Minister’s Questions, Dr Nick Scriven, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “Despite all the PM’s rhetoric about protecting the NHS, his government’s mishandling will harm the very people he is purporting to have protected by risking them coming under intense strain in the coming weeks and months with…
Read MoreSenior medic says sustained drop in A&E numbers a “ticking timebomb”
Following the release today of A&E performance data for April which shows the lowest number of attendances reported since the collection began, Dr Nick Scriven, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The sustained drop in A&E attendances is a significant concern given that many of those who have put off coming…
Read MoreLeading doctors criticise “haphazard testing” and call for urgent explanation of track and trace strategy
Following news the UK now has the highest number of coronavirus deaths in Europe, Society for Acute Medicine President Dr Susan Crossland and past president Dr Nick Scriven commented: “The different ways the cause of death is recorded across Europe (and the US) does make this new data less useful as a comparison. “However, we…
Read MoreSenior medic calls for “substance before soundbite” from the government
A senior medic has called for the government to put “substance before soundbite” when it comes to the realities of the effects of COVID-19 on the NHS. Dr Nick Scriven, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said despite regular references to creating “spare“ capacity, this was far from an accurate reflection and…
Read MoreMedic says lack of action to address drop in non-COVID emergency attendances “deeply concerning”
A senior medic has said the lack of action taken to address the drop in non-COVID-19 emergency attendances at hospitals nationwide is “deeply concerning”. Dr Nick Scriven, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said clinicians had been raising concerns for the past three weeks about people with a range of conditions –…
Read MoreLess than half of acute and emergency staff satisfied with protective equipment
Less than half of acute and emergency staff are satisfied with the personal protective equipment (PPE) supplied to them to as part of the NHS COVID-19 response. A snapshot survey conducted by the Society for Acute Medicine (SAM) found only 42 per cent said they felt they had the right – or enough – PPE…
Read MoreCOVID 19: ‘Biggest concern I have is staff’ says SAM past president
As cases of coronavirus increase across the UK, Dr Nick Scriven, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, comments on the government response, pressures on the NHS and staffing. “To date, the government response has been to tread the fine line between preparing for the worst but trying not to cause mass panic…
Read More