Tuesday 22 October 2024
In response to the analysis from the Liberal Democrats showing more than one million patients waited 12 hours or more in A&E this year, Dr Ian Higginson, Vice President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said: “Once again we commend the Liberal Democrats for keeping this hugely important issue in the spotlight.
“Long stays are degrading, dehumanising, and dangerous.
“The number of people spending 12-hours or more in our Emergency Departments is increasing – with almost 130,000 people in that situation in September alone. Most of these patients are older and more vulnerable.
“All the signs are that this winter will be rubbish for our patients and our staff, with the Health Secretary himself acknowledging just yesterday that patients will continue to be stranded in A&E corridors on trolleys while awaiting admission.
“Let us be clear, these numbers are humans, and these humans deserve better.
“This week the Government launched its ‘national conversation’ consulting on the future of the NHS.
“While we welcome the conversation, RCEM already has a prescription to #resuscitateemergencycare. Our members and their colleagues, who are doing their best to look after patients in overwhelmed EDs, need action.
“The budget next week is an opportunity for the Government to put into action its pledge to resuscitate the health service. It must take it to show that it has more than just words to offer, and to provide evidence that it is truly committed to reform.”
