Responding to the latest performance statistics for the NHS in
England, the interim chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron
Cordery said:
“Winter has been brutal so far for the NHS and we're not out of
the woods yet. Things are likely to get worse before they get
better.
“Stresses and strains on urgent and emergency services, which are
experiencing record demand, are a huge concern with many patients
facing long waits for ambulances and in A&Es.
“Services everywhere are facing staggeringly high levels of flu
and other nasty bugs, which is piling the pressure on already
stretched staff. The number of critical incidents declared in
recent days is a barometer of how challenging the situation
really is for the NHS.
“Despite these serious challenges, trust leaders and their teams
across hospitals, mental health, community and ambulance services
are pulling out all the stops to care for patients. The boost in
the number of patients being seen for checks, scans and
procedures and a welcome fall in the number of patients on
waiting lists is testament to the hard work and dedication of
frontline NHS staff, who deserve our thanks for their tireless
efforts.”
Ends
Notes to editors:
- Our NHS Activity
Tracker takes a detailed look at national
and trust level data across the acute, ambulance, community and
mental health sectors and offers case studies from NHS trusts.
