Latest news with #RCEM
Epoch Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Epoch Times
Excess Deaths Linked to Long A&E Waits Increased by 20 Percent, Medics Estimate
An estimated 16,644 excess deaths occurred as a result of long waits in A&E departments in England last year, a group of leading medics has said. This is equivalent to 320 lives lost a week and an increase of 20 percent compared to 2023, when an estimated 13,919 patients may have died needlessly while waiting for a hospital bed, according to figures published by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) on Thursday. The RCEM's president, Dr. Adrian Boyle, said the figures were 'the equivalent of two aeroplanes crashing every week,' calling it 'heartbreaking' for families whose loved ones died waiting for care. The medics' methodology for making the estimate was based on a Similarly, data published by the Office for National Statistics earlier this year 1.7 Million Patients In 2024, more than 1.7 million patients waited 12 hours or more to be admitted, discharged, or transferred from the emergency department, an increase of almost 14 percent on the year before, according to the RCEM. Of those patients, more than two-thirds (69.2 percent) were waiting to be admitted to a ward for further care. Related Stories 5/6/2025 4/22/2025 Commenting on the figures, Boyle said: 'It's sobering, heartbreaking, devastating, and more. Because this is so much more than just data and statistics. Each number represents a person—a dearly loved family member—grandparents, parents, siblings, and friends—who has died because of a system in crisis. 'These were patients who were stuck in emergency departments, watching the clock tick by as they waited extremely long hours, often on a trolley in a corridor, for an in-patient bed to become available for them.' The medic warned there may be far more deaths linked to long delays in getting emergency care. He pointed out that this methodology only accounts for patients who actually reached A&E. It does not include those left waiting for urgent medical care in the community, either because ambulances are unable to hand them over to overcrowded emergency departments, or because patients are 'too anxious to seek help when they should.' 'Not Sustainable' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said the report 'lays bare the crisis in NHS waiting times we inherited, with patients suffering unacceptable delays for urgent treatment. It will be a long road to fix our NHS, but we are doing the work to get us there.' The spokesperson added that the government has invested an extra £26 billion to reform the NHS. Plans include shifting services from hospital to community to ease pressure on emergency departments, and recruiting an extra 1,000 GPs 'to reach patients earlier and move towards prevention.' File photo of a nurse taking the blood pressure of an elderly patient at an NHS hospital in England on Jan. 18, 2023. PA Wire The estimates were released ahead of the launch of the newly-formed All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Emergency Care. The APPG is chaired by Labour MP Dr. Rosena Allin-Khan, who is an A&E doctor and says she sees how stretched emergency services are on a weekly basis during her shifts. She said the 'ever-increasing numbers of excess deaths and long wait times in our emergency departments are simply not sustainable.' 'The government have pledged to fix the foundations of our public services and our A&Es must be at the front and centre of this ambition. There has never been an APPG for emergency care before and this is exactly the vehicle needed to bring together industry experts, legislators, and the government to move things forward,' Allin-Khan said. Corridor Care The estimates come amid other reports pointing to the dangers of vulnerable patients waiting long hours in A&E for treatment, with many receiving care in inappropriate settings such as in waiting rooms or hospital car parks, in what has come to be known as ' A report from the RCEM In January, the Royal College of Physicians reported that crowding in emergency departments, while growing steadily over the past several years, had worsened in the last 12 to 18 months and was no longer limited to the winter months typically linked to higher illness rates. A poll commissioned by the Royal College of Nursing published in February
Epoch Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Epoch Times
Over a Million Older Patients Waited 12 Hours or More in A&E Last Year, Report Says
In 2024, over a million people aged 60 and above endured waits of more than 12 hours in A&E departments across England, according to a new report from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM). The Findings also revealed that the older a patient was, the higher the likelihood that their wait time would increase. While those aged 60 to 69 had a 15 percent chance of waiting 12 hours or more, that figure more than doubled to 32.5 percent for patients aged 90 and above. Senior doctors said that despite there being year-on-year improvements in emergency room waits since 2023, these older patients are enduring the longest waits 'and are bearing the brunt of an Urgent and Emergency Care system in crisis.' Insufficient Screening The RCEM has been looking into the care of older people. In its research for patients over the age of 75, authors found that there was insufficient screening in emergency rooms for common conditions that affect seniors. Examining 24,865 case studies from 149 English emergency departments, report authors found that only 16 percent had been screened for delirium, a reversible condition characterised by a sudden change in mental function and which is associated with an increased risk of death. Less than half (48 percent) of this age group had been assessed for the risk of falling. Related Stories 4/22/2025 4/17/2025 Just over half (56 percent) had been screened for general frailty. If detected early, medics can organise early intervention and support in hospital and with community care. The report recommended that England introduce a 'front door frailty screening' system, similar to that in Scotland, to improve the care of older people. Alarming Threat to Patient Safety Dr. Adrian Boyle, president of the RCEM, said the report's findings reveal the 'alarming threat to patient safety,' adding it was well known that long stays are dangerous to patients, especially to those who are elderly. Boyle said: 'The healthcare system is failing our most vulnerable patients—more than a million last year. These people are our parents, grandparents, great-grandparents. 'They aren't receiving the level of care they need, as they endure the longest stays in our EDs [emergency departments], often suffering degrading and dehumanising 'corridor care.'' Boyle's comments come amid an increase so-called 'corridor care,' which refers to emergency patients being treated in unsuitable spaces—such as hallways, waiting areas, offices, or even car parks—owing to a lack of staff or available treatment rooms to provide proper, dignified care. In January, the Royal College of Physicians reported that crowding in emergency departments, while growing steadily over the past several years, had worsened in the last 12 to 18 months and was no longer limited to the winter months typically linked to higher illness rates. The following month, a poll commissioned by the Royal College of Nursing 'Unacceptable' Responding to the RCEM's report, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting said, 'Anyone being stuck in A&E for that length of time is unacceptable, but for people who spent their lives paying into the NHS and giving to our country it is particularly appalling.' 'That's one of the reasons why we are going so hard at driving improvement in our NHS,' he told Times Radio. Health Secretary Wes Streeting speaking to the media during a visit to London Ambulance Service headquarters in south London on Dec. 9, 2024. Ben Whitley/PA Wire The minister outlined that since Labour came to power in July 2024, the government has cut NHS waiting lists and made available more than 2 million additional appointments. £102 Million for GP Refurbishments Also on Tuesday, the Department for Health and Social Care announced that £102 million will go to some 1,000 GP surgeries for refurbishments and building upgrades to create more space to see patients, which Streeting said would help deliver a further 8.3 million appointments a year. He said that with more capacity at GP practices, 'people who don't need A&E can actually get a GP appointment when they need one, which is, I'm afraid, still a big driver of people going to emergency departments.' 'The scale of the challenge is one that can't be fixed overnight, or even within one year,' Streeting said. He added, 'But year on year, we want to see consistent improvement in our NHS so that we can do away with corridor care, people are able to get GP appointments, operations, appointments and A&E when they need it, and to restore that fundamental promise that's been broken: that the NHS will be there for all of us when we need it.' Streeting said that his department will publish its Urgency and Emergency Care Improvement Plan later this month.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New ED consultants will strengthen under pressure workforce, says minister
The health minister has said the recruitment of up to 26 emergency medicine consultants will help stabilise and strengthen the healthcare workforce in Northern Ireland. The Department of Health said some of the consultants are already in post, with the others set to begin in their roles across all five health trusts by the end of the year. It said funding for the new posts comes from reducing spending on locum doctors in emergency departments and that it comes as part of work to find roles for newly-qualified consultants in the health system. Mike Nesbitt said everyone was "acutely aware of the very significant pressures" on emergency departments. "Both staff and patients want us to do all we can to alleviate those pressures and that's been a central focus for my department and trusts in recent months." He added that, at a meeting with the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) last year, he recognised that it was "incongruous" for Health and Social Care (HSC) to train emergency medicine doctors but then have no vacancies for them, while also "spending around £30m a year on locum cover for emergency departments". Prof Lourda Geoghegan, deputy chief medical officer, said she was "very encouraged" by early reports on the impact of the new consultants, who had not only helped reduce locum spending but also increased the "presence of senior decision-making in emergency departments". Dr Russell McLaughlin, vice chair of RCEM Northern Ireland, said its research showed there was a critical shortage of emergency medicine consultants, with only half the recommended number in place. "The need for expansion is clear," he added. "It's vital our departments have these senior decision makers, who are qualified and ready to step into these roles, which are critical for patient safety." Northern Ireland's emergency departments have been under severe pressure for years. On New Year's Eve figures showed that more than half of the 892 people who attended emergency departments (EDs) had to endure a wait of more than 12 hours. Figures released by the Department of Health (DoH) revealed that there was a 7.6% increase in hospital attendances over a 12-month period, with 63,347 attendees in December 2024 compared to 58,875 in December 2023. Dr McLaughlin said the situation in EDs was "deteriorating" as the health service "pushed through" another "hugely challenging winter". The figures showed that the number of ED attendees waiting more than 12 hours in December 2024 was 12,281, an increase from 10,597 in December 2023. The number of patients discharged or admitted within the target of four hours was highest in October 2024 (45.6%) and lowest in December 2024 (40.6%). Compared to December 2023, fewer people (-1.4%) spent under four hours in emergency departments, which had a figure of 42%. ED situation 'deteriorating', NI doctors warn Emergency departments have no space, says doctor 'We're at breaking point' - says ED doctor
BBC News
27-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
New ED consultants will strengthen under pressure workforce, says health minister
The health minister has said the recruitment of up to 26 emergency medicine consultants will help stabilise and strengthen the healthcare workforce in Northern Department of Health said some of the consultants are already in post, with the others set to begin in their roles across all five health trusts by the end of the year. It said funding for the new posts comes from reducing spending on locum doctors in emergency departments and that it comes as part of work to find roles for newly-qualified consultants in the health Nesbitt said everyone was "acutely aware of the very significant pressures" on emergency departments. "Both staff and patients want us to do all we can to alleviate those pressures and that's been a central focus for my department and trusts in recent months."He added that, at a meeting with the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) last year, he recognised that it was "incongruous" for Health and Social Care (HSC) to train emergency medicine doctors but then have no vacancies for them, while also "spending around £30m a year on locum cover for emergency departments".Prof Lourda Geoghegan, deputy chief medical officer, said she was "very encouraged" by early reports on the impact of the new consultants, who had not only helped reduce locum spending but also increased the "presence of senior decision-making in emergency departments".Dr Russell McLaughlin, vice chair of RCEM Northern Ireland, said its research showed there was a critical shortage of emergency medicine consultants, with only half the recommended number in place."The need for expansion is clear," he added."It's vital our departments have these senior decision makers, who are qualified and ready to step into these roles, which are critical for patient safety." Emergency department pressures Northern Ireland's emergency departments have been under severe pressure for New Year's Eve figures showed that more than half of the 892 people who attended emergency departments (EDs) had to endure a wait of more than 12 released by the Department of Health (DoH) revealed that there was a 7.6% increase in hospital attendances over a 12-month period, with 63,347 attendees in December 2024 compared to 58,875 in December McLaughlin said the situation in EDs was "deteriorating" as the health service "pushed through" another "hugely challenging winter".The figures showed that the number of ED attendees waiting more than 12 hours in December 2024 was 12,281, an increase from 10,597 in December number of patients discharged or admitted within the target of four hours was highest in October 2024 (45.6%) and lowest in December 2024 (40.6%).Compared to December 2023, fewer people (-1.4%) spent under four hours in emergency departments, which had a figure of 42%.
The Independent
23-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Mental health A&E units to open across England where patients can be seen in 10 minutes
The NHS is opening a network of mental health A&Es across England to relieve pressure on hospitals amid the ongoing 'corridor care' crisis. These units will be staffed with specialist doctors and nurses to provide 24/7 support for patients feeling suicidal or experiencing symptoms such as psychosis or mania, NHS England confirmed. Patients will be able to walk in or be referred by GP and the police to these units, designed to be a 'calm and welcoming' environment in contrast to the 'noise and chaos' of hospitals. Sir Jim Mackey, the chief executive of NHS England, said 'Crowded A&Es are not designed to treat people in mental health crisis. We need to do better, which is why we are pioneering a new model of care where patients get the right support in the right setting. 'As well as relieving pressure on our busy A&Es, mental health crisis assessment centres can speed up access to appropriate care, offering people the help they need much sooner so they can stay out of hospital.' The mental health A&Es hope to relieve pressure on overcrowded hospitals as the 'corridor care' crisis ensues. Last year, 250,000 people went to A&E experiencing mental health crises, with one in three waiting more than 12 hours. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) estimated around 320 patients a week may have died in England last year due to excessive waits for hospital beds in A&E departments. Already, 10 NHS trusts have launched separate units for mental health crises, some on sites alongside existing A&E units, but the scheme is expected to be expanded nationally to dozens of locations as part of the 10 year NHS plan set to be published this summer by the government. Ladbroke Grove, west London, is home to one of the first new mental health units being rolled out by the NHS. The unit, run by Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL), is staffed by a team of mental health nurses, doctors and healthcare assistants round the clock. Mental health nurse Toti Freysson, who manages the service, told The Times: 'Anybody who walks in is seen by a mental health specialist within 10 minutes.' 'Normally in A&E they would have to wait for hours, surrounded by the noise and the chaos. Most of the people we see have suicidal thoughts. Here, they can come in and sit with their families. We are able to intervene early and link them up with treatment in the community. It means we can get them home much sooner. The new services include a 'full and holistic assessment' of a patient's mental health needs, hoping to address the root causes of a crisis. The unit's deputy head of urgent care, Selena Cox, told The Times that staff make sure that patients have a plan, of action going forward. This may involve connecting them to local charities to tackle homelessness, debt or addiction issues, or arranging home treatment team visits. The Metropolitan Police, the country's largest force, said in 2023 its officers would not attend mental health call-outs where a healthcare professional is more appropriate. Claire Murdoch, the NHS national director for mental health, told the newspaper: 'I would certainly hope to see these mental health A&Es across the country over the next decade.'
