Displaying items by tag: paramedics

The NHS is confronting escalating A&E wait times as it faces one of its most difficult winters. In England, only 69.7% of patients were seen within the four-hour target last month. Ambulance delays have worsened, with one-third of patients experiencing waits of more than 30 minutes at hospitals. The Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) reported significant ambulance service delays, leading to 149,000 lost hours and potential harm to 37,000 patients. The College of Paramedics highlighted the urgent need for investment in ambulance services and emergency department improvements. Despite preparations, the NHS's situation remains challenging compared to last year. The Health Foundation notes that its performance this winter depends on weather and seasonal viruses. Lib Dem spokeswoman Daisy Cooper criticised the government for inadequate preparation. NHS England's medical director and PM Rishi Sunak acknowledged the challenges, mentioning government efforts in early planning and funding to enhance A&E, ambulance services, and patient discharge processes.

Richard Webber from the College of Paramedics said that members with thirty years’ service have never experienced anything like this. Lives are at risk because patients face unacceptably long waits for 999 emergency callouts for heart attacks and strokes, with some seriously ill patients waiting up to nine hours for an ambulance. Numerous investigations are going on into deaths linked to delays. The problems have forced all ambulance services to be put on their highest levels of alert - meaning that patients who can make their own way to hospital are told to do so. A number of services have brought in the military to support crews, and patients are taken to hospital in the back of police cars. Cases involve waits for crews to reach patients and delays when they arrive at overcrowded A&E‘s and spend hours queuing outside. Also hospitals cannot discharge patients fit to leave because of a lack of community support.