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Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Now thousands give up trying to get an ambulance to A&E and 'are finding their own way to hospital'
Record numbers of patients are making their own way to A&E without waiting for an ambulance, a study suggests. Long response times and scenes of emergency vehicles queuing outside hospitals are thought to have fuelled the surge in people turning to alternative transport - even in the most urgent cases. NHS England data shows 19.5million attendances (79 per cent) were from people who walked, cycled or used public transport, a taxi or a private vehicle in 2023/24. Now new analysis from a subset of 30 NHS trusts indicate a growing proportion were the sickest patients. They recorded 2.7million non-ambulance A&E arrivals in 2024 - up 340,000 or 14 per cent since 2019. Of these, 266,460 patients were assigned the most severe category one or two ratings on arrival, meaning they were in need of 'immediate' or 'very urgent' medical attention - a rise of 50 per cent over the same period. Helen Morgan, health and social care spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, who obtained the new data under Freedom of Information laws, said: 'These figures lay bare an Uber ambulance crisis, where people do not think they can rely on ambulance services even in the most serious of circumstances. 'This could have deadly consequences if people have lost faith that ambulances will be there when they need them.' In 2022, Dr Katherine Henderson, the then president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, admitted she would consider calling a taxi or giving a loved one a lift to hospital, rather than call an ambulance as she was 'worried' one would not arrive on time. Dennis Reed, director of Silver Voices, which campaigns for elderly Britons, said: 'Older people have lost all confidence that if they need an ambulance they will get one in time so will often resort to DIY solutions. 'A blue light ambulance used to be the quickest way to get to hospital but this is increasingly not true. 'If you live 30 minutes drive from hospital but the ambulance will take an hour to get to you then it becomes a no brainer. 'The solution is not so much not enough ambulances - as many are waiting outside hospitals because of a lack of beds. 'The solution is for the Government to stop ignoring the social care crisis.' The latest official figures show the average response time for the most life-threatening 999 calls was 7 minutes 56 seconds in July, although one in ten callers waited more than 14 minutes 12 seconds. The average target of 7 minutes has not been met for four years. The average response time for category two calls, which includes heart attacks and strokes, was 28 minutes 40 seconds and the average for category three calls, including severe pain, was 1 hour 40 minutes. The Trust that saw the largest rise in non-ambulance A&E attendances, according to the subset of Freedom of Information responses, was Sandwell and West Birmingham, where there was a 320 per cent rise since 2019, with the figures jumping from 3,900 to 16,500. Mid and South Essex had the highest number of attendances not arriving in an ambulance last year at 322,000, up from 263,000 over the same period. The Liberal Democrats also asked for figures non-ambulance A&E arrivals by those aged over 65. Last year, there were 459,000, up 22 per cent on 2019's 375,000 according to the 22 NHS Trusts which responded with full data. Of these,56,700 were rated Code 1 or Code 2. The steepest rise in over 65s non-ambulance attendances was in North Cumbria where they jumped 97 per cent to 22,305. The Liberal Democrats want the Government to create a new £50 million-a-year emergency fund to allow ambulance trusts to reverse closures of community ambulance stations and to launch a campaign to retain, recruit and train paramedics and other ambulance staff. Ms Morgan added: 'We are still seeing people being treated in A&E corridors and ambulances queuing up outside, causing delays that people are rightfully terrified by. 'Everyone should call and wait for an ambulance if they need one, but we also have to also make sure they reach people on time so no one thinks they have to take themselves to A&E in a life and death situation. 'That means protecting local ambulance stations from closure and launching a campaign to retain, recruit and train paramedics and other ambulance staff.' Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers and former chief executive of London Ambulance Service, said: 'There may be lots of reasons why people chose to go to hospital themselves rather than call 999. The NHS is there for anyone in an emergency. 'Latest official figures show that ambulances are getting to people more quickly despite high demand, with staff attending more than 650,000 incidents and answering more than 843,500 calls to 999 in a month. 'Meanwhile, despite 2.4million A&E attendances - the busiest July on record - the highest proportion of patients in almost four years were seen within four hours. NHS trusts and staff work flat out to see patients as quickly as possible.' Anna Parry, managing director of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, said: 'Data proves that NHS ambulance services have never been busier answering 999 calls and responding to more patients than ever before, something that is testament to our incredibly hard-working frontline staff, as well as those handling the calls and dispatching the most appropriate clinical response to patients in need. 'The NHS and its individual ambulance services continue to invest in the development and training of paramedics and other clinical staff, in order to manage the increase in demand for our services and provide high quality care in as timely manner as we are able.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'We inherited an emergency care system on its knees, with patients left facing lengthy waits for ambulances and often even longer handover delays when they reached hospital. 'Despite record A&E demand, we are turning things around, with ambulances getting to patients faster in July than the same time last year, and handover delays also coming down. 'Our £450 million investment in urgent and emergency care services includes new ambulances, to make sure the NHS can be there for all of us on time when we need it.'
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Millions of UK drivers to face extra £18 charge in 'war on traffic'
The move is likely to irritate some Millions of drivers, including those who switched to eco-friendly vehicles to dodge fees, are set to be hit by a massive hike in London's Congestion Charge. From Christmas Day 2025, electric vehicles will no longer be exempt from the daily charge, with the cost for all cars jumping from £15 to £18 just a week later. According to Transport for London (TfL) data obtained by Auto Express through Freedom of Information laws, this double blow could generate an additional £80 million to £91 million annually – a total of up to £455 million over five years. This marks the most significant financial setback yet for EV owners in the capital, following the abolition of free parking in certain boroughs and the removal of the luxury car tax exemption. Other cities across the nation are likely to follow London's lead. This crackdown comes despite London Mayor Sadiq Khan's repeated assertions that he wants to promote the use of cleaner vehicles. Green drivers 'penalised' Tom Jervis, consumer editor at Auto Express, expressed his concerns: "While we recognise the importance of funding clean air initiatives and reducing congestion in London, it's deeply concerning that electric vehicle drivers – many of whom made the switch in good faith – will now be penalised." EV buyers have already lost their exemption from the luxury car tax, and now this. Removing the Congestion Charge exemption will hit ordinary drivers hard – especially those who moved to an EV specifically to avoid such charges and reduce their environmental impact. "If we're serious about encouraging the uptake of electric vehicles, we need consistent, long-term incentives – not policies that penalise those who've already done the right thing. Electric vehicle owners should be supported, not squeezed." How the cash piles up According to TfL's own figures, the removal of the EV exemption will generate at least £75 million a year – rising to almost £83 million if a proposed 25% EV discount is scrapped. Additionally, the £3-a-day increase in the Congestion Charge will accumulate to £55 million over five years. Combined, this means between £415 million and £455 million extra in TfL's coffers by 2031. TfL predicts its total Congestion Charge income will leap from £240 million in 2024/25 to £320 million in 2026/27. Small mercy – but for how long? From January 2026, electric car drivers will be able to get a 25% discount if they register for Auto Pay – or 50% for vans – but even that is only guaranteed for five years before being halved. Mr Jervis encouraged EV drivers to sign up to Auto Pay immediately to maximise the offer, stating: "For someone driving into London five days a week, this is a difference of £1,035 a year when the charge rises to £18, so is well worth doing." The decision is likely to reignite discussions about whether motorists are being used as cash cows under the pretence of green policy – and whether London's "war on traffic" is now turning against those who believed they were on the right side of the fight.
Daily Record
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Transport bosses called on Oasis Edinburgh gigs to finish earlier 'to save putting on extra trains'
Concert bosses dismissed the request amid fears Liam and Noel Gallagher would re-think their Scottish shows It is less than a week until Oasis begin their run of three nights at Edinburgh's Murrayfield Stadium as part of their hotly-anticipated reunion tour. But it seems it is transport and timings that are dominating officials' conversations. Transport bosses asked for Oasis' shows in the capital to wrap up earlier than scheduled to avoid putting on extra trains, according to the Sun. Officials reportedly asked the show curfew to be brought forward from 10:45pm amid fears of "disorder" after the music spectacle. Gig promoters DF Concerts and Murrayfield Stadium chiefs allegedly dismissed the request as "any changes could/would likely impact on an artists' willingness to perform." Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher are set to electrify the Scottish rugby stronghold for three nights on Friday, August 8, Saturday, August 9, and Tuesday, August 12. Last year, a transport summit was called after the gigs were announced. Documents obtained by the Sun via Freedom of Information laws show how Transport Scotland's events resilience team asked for the earlier curfew in a bid to avoid the need to lay on more late-night train services. An official wrote: "I asked if there was any consideration or scope in bringing end times forward slightly to minimise the necessity on enhanced/extended public transport. "This was met with a somewhat vociferous response by DF Concerts and to a degree SR Murrayfield." In response to the reports, Transport Scotland blasted critics, telling the Record they would be "the first to complain" if transport bosses didn't "challenge travel plans and understand potential impacts on the wider network". A spokesperson said: "Scotland has a good track record of supporting major events like the Cycling World Championships, COP 26, and many other sporting events, festivals and concerts. "ScotRail is putting on extra services and seats during the Edinburgh Festival and for these concerts, including late-night trains to key destinations. "The main reason Scotland has such a successful reputation for delivering these global events is due to close working between Police Scotland, Councils and transport operators, as well as event organisers. "It is our role to challenge travel plans and understand potential impacts on the wider network to allow for business as usual, as well as encourage extra services to be laid on, our critics would be the first to complain if we didn't." DF Concerts and Murrayfield have been contacted for comment. Official stage times for Edinburgh have yet to be published, but organisers expect gates will open at 5pm on each show day, with the curfew expected to be 10.45pm, to accommodate the 67,000 fans descending each night. However, it is worth noting that London's Wembley Stadium's curfew changed between the Oasis concert landing on a weekday and a weekend. On the Friday and Saturday, July 25 and 26, the curfew was 10.45pm, but it changed to 10.30pm for the shows on Wednesday, July 30, and tonight's gig, Sunday, August 3. On Friday, August 1, City of Edinburgh Council leader Cllr Jane Meagher confirmed additional transport services would be available via tram, rail, and bus routes. Nonetheless, she cautioned gig-goers to conduct themselves appropriately and advised those without tickets to steer clear. "Whilst we relish hosting the biggest and best events and want everyone attending to truly enjoy themselves, it's important that we remember our residents," Cllr Meagher said. "We ask that visitors are considerate and respectful of them whilst enjoying our fantastic capital city. We're urging people to only travel to Murrayfield and the surrounding area if you have a ticket." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. ScotRail will provide extra trains and carriages during August as part of its Edinburgh Festivals uplift. More services are also planned for the Oasis concerts, with Murrayfield conveniently located a brief walk from Haymarket station. The council's caution was issued the same day Police Scotland launched its operation to safeguard revellers in August. There will be a heightened police presence in the city centre throughout the month. Extra officers from across Scotland, as well as national and specialist units, have been called in.
Daily Mirror
01-08-2025
- Daily Mirror
Bin men physically attacked and threatened as they try to clear nation's rubbish
Some 61 refuse workers were physically attacked while trying to clear our trash last year, according to council stats we obtained under Freedom of Information laws Bin men are regularly punched, spat at and threatened with weapons, shock figures show. Some 61 refuse workers were physically attacked while trying to clear our rubbish last year, according to council stats obtained under Freedom of Information laws. Last night Brian Lennie, a bin lorry driver from Ipswich, Suffolk, said: "I've been verbally abused and called names – It's something I've got used to, but it shouldn't be the case. "It can sometimes feel unsafe when you're working alone. Traffic wardens and police don't work alone, yet we are expected to. There has been cut after cut after cut and I am concerned there will be more – the government needs to invest more in local councils and pay for the services people need." Residents typically kick off when workers refuse to empty recycling bins contaminated with general waste. One incident in Wiltshire saw a bin man injured by metal ball bearings fired from a slingshot. In Tameside, Greater Manchester, a resident threw his rubbish at the crew and set his dog on them. And In Derby, a bin man was attacked by the driver of a car whose wing mirror he had tucked in so the lorry could get through a narrow gap. It comes as hundreds of refuse workers in Birmingham continue to strike over poor working conditions and planned pay cuts. Tens of thousands of people work as refuse collectors in the UK and typically earn between £24,000 to £33,000 per year. A Local Government Association spokesperson said: 'Council staff work incredibly hard to collect waste and recycling and keep our streets clean and clear of rubbish. They are highly visible frontline staff who carry out an essential function within our communities and should be able to carry out their duties without fear of assault or abuse. Any attack on a refuse collector, verbal or physical, is completely unacceptable under any circumstances. Clare Keogh, Unite national officer for local authorities, said: 'These shocking figures and stories highlight just how tough and demanding being a refuse worker is. Unite has been campaigning and has raised disputes with employers on this for years. "Reports of abuse and health and safety breaches must be taken seriously - or we will see unrest in the sector continue to spread. Refuse workers play an immensely important role, with all of us relying on the work they do. However, the difficulties of the job have been exacerbated by years of austerity and cuts to council funding, with greater pressure applied on workers to meet higher demand with fewer resources.'
The Journal
06-06-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Court escorts for prisoners at risk due to overcrowding, Irish prisons boss warns
THERE IS A real risk that the Irish Prison Service will not be able to transport all prisoners for court hearings, as overcrowding is putting pressure on staff to meet their escort abilities. Director General of the Irish Prison Service Caron McCaffrey warned the Department of Justice in a letter last year that the system is at 'tipping point' in respect of its ability to carry out escorts to court and maintain safe staffing standards inside its facilities. Her letter told the Department: 'Current levels of overcrowding are exacerbated by resource constraints due to ever-increasing demands for escorts.' The Journal has previously reported that record-high levels of overcrowding inside Ireland's prisons are increasing the risk of violence , seeing incarcerated people sleeping on the floor and creating a difficult working environment for staff . Speaking to journalists last month, McCaffrey said she hopes that new ankle monitoring technology will assist the service in reducing the number of people in prison who are on remand, awaiting trial, which amounts to roughly 20% of the population. The short-term remedy is also being met with additional funding to increase the number of beds that can be made available in the existing system , the department of justice has previously said. In her letter, the head of the prison system said she had 'grave concerns' around the safety of staff and prisoners, because of dire overcrowding in jails. Concerns around the length of time court escorts take, and frequency of them, were highlighted by staff at a recent Prison Officer Association conference in Galway last month. Recruitment for the Prison Service Escort Corp, which transports officers and prisoners to court and other prisons, has been a particular issue in recent years as resources become stretched. Advertisement There were 4,960 prisoners in custody at the time of McCaffery's letter, in May 2024, in which she said the Irish prison system was 'not in a position to absorb the inevitable increase in committals safely'. Since then, the number of people in custody has risen to as high as 5,400. McCaffery said the appointment of additional judges has contributed to the increases in prisoner population and court escorts. 'Undoubtedly, a large element of the current overcrowding crisis is directly related to the appointment of additional judges,' the letter said. '[This led to] the scheduling of over 600 extra court sittings this year, decisions taken when our prisons were already overcapacity and not in a position to absorb the inevitable increase in committals safely.' McCaffrey's letter was addressed to one of the most senior officials in the Department of Justice, but has only now been released following an appeal to the Information Commissioner under Freedom of Information laws. Months before the letter was sent, The Journal reported how the Irish Prison Service was using temporary release measures, when people in custody are let out periodically under strict conditions, to alleviate the system from increased levels of overcrowding . The use of the temporary release scheme is approved on a case-by-case basis. It is understood that every suitable candidate for the measure in the system has already been approved. McCaffery told the department in May 2024 that she wanted an urgent decision on new rules around who could and could not be given temporary release. She wrote: 'In the absence of an urgent decision [on temporary release measures], I need to advise you that I now have grave concerns in relation to the ability of this service to ensure the safety of both those who work and live in our prisons.' She said there had been a sharp increase in temporary release to relieve pressure, but that all the main prisons were well above operational capacity. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
