Urgent and emergency care already experiencing record demand ahead of difficult winter

Responding to the latest NHS performance statistics, Francesca Cavallaro, Senior Analytical Manager at the Health Foundation, said:

‘Today’s data highlight the ongoing strain facing urgent and emergency care as the health service heads into what the prime minister has acknowledged will be a difficult winter. Ambulance response times increased and A&E waiting times worsened, with only 74% of patients admitted, transferred or discharged within 4 hours.

‘Meanwhile, NHS waiting lists increased for the third consecutive month to 7.38 million, despite improving performance against the 18-week standard. The NHS is making improvements but simply struggling to cope with increasing numbers of referrals. The heightened demand the health service usually faces over winter months leaves limited immediate opportunity to reduce waiting lists.

‘The government has begun setting out further winter help for the health service, with some additional allocated funding in the budget and extra support for GPs. But ministers should take today’s figures as a serious warning and provide additional support for hospitals as soon as possible to help them cope this winter in the face of very high demand.

‘Sustained reductions in year-round pressures will require a focused effort over the long term, including investment in hospital operational capacity, community health services and social care, particularly in areas with the greatest need. This will help local teams identify and support high-risk patients throughout the year, rather than winter months alone.’

Media contact

Nadine Sheikh-Sobeh
Nadine.sheikh-sobeh@health.org.uk
020 8152 8120