Additional seasonal pressures are pushing the NHS to the brink warns The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM).

Latest data show that hospital bed occupancy remains at unsafe levels (93.5%) as one in nine patients faced 12 hour waits in A&Es in December in England. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) has described it is a ‘shameful, distressing and deeply saddening’ situation.

With dangerous and unacceptable hospital occupancy levels of more than 95% there is the real risk that patients will find no room at the Inn this Christmas.

Latest data show more than one in 20 patients attending A&Es in Scotland faced a 12-hour wait in October, as RCEM Scotland describes the data as “deeply concerning”.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine has again urged the Welsh Government to publish a winter plan, as it warns ‘a failure to act will put patient safety at risk this winter’.

RCEM has described today’s Autumn Statement as a ‘missed opportunity’, amid significant bed shortages ahead of winter.

RCEM has described a new report revealing a culture of systematic and institutional sexism as ‘shocking’ and ‘deeply saddening’ stating “this toxic culture has no place within our profession.”

New joint report by leading health organisations highlights that lessons must be learned from the emergency care crisis in 2022, concluding ‘too many patients are in the wrong place for their needs’.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) has called on the Government to make additional funding available urgently as NHS leaders admit they may not be able to increase winter bed capacity simply because they do not have enough money.