NHS running at boiling point all year round
09 August 2018
- NHS England has published combined performance figures for June/July 2018. This includes A&E performance for July 2018.
- The figures show that July saw the highest number of A&E attendances since the data collection began – this equates to, on average, 70,000 people being seen a day.
- Performance against the four hour A&E target slipped to 89.3% - the worst July performance recorded.
- The number of patients waiting for routine surgery also continues to grow
- Performance against the 62-day wait cancer target is at its lowest since the data collection began in 2009.
- For the third month running the two-week wait cancer target has been missed.
Responding to the latest NHS England combined performance summary, the chief executive of NHS Providers, Chris Hopson, said:
“The summer has provided no respite for NHS staff who are now working flat out to meet unsustainable levels of demand both in the summer and the winter. The pressures are felt across hospital, community, mental health and ambulance services, not just A&E.
“The latest figures show that in July more people than ever have turned up at A&E departments seeking treatment with, on average, over 70,000 people being seen a day.
In July more people than ever have turned up at A&E departments seeking treatment with, on average, over 70,000 people being seen a day.
“We have also seen exceptionally high numbers of patients then admitted to hospital beds. This has led to more patients waiting longer to be seen in A&E with performance against the four hour standard slipping further. All of this is a symptom of an NHS running at boiling point all year round.
“The hot weather will have had an impact with more patients with respiratory conditions, heatstroke and dehydration. NHS staff are going above and beyond once again to meet growing demand in the summer as well as the winter.
This is a symptom of an NHS running at boiling point all year round.
“June’s figures also show that the waiting list for routine treatment continues to travel in the wrong direction. It is also concerning to see that performance against the 62 day wait cancer target is at its lowest since the data collection began in 2009, and for the third month running the two week wait cancer target has been missed.
NHS staff are going above and beyond once again to meet growing demand in the summer as well as the winter.
“This level of demand and performance raises serious concerns about the NHS’s position going into the winter. We need urgent decisions about how we properly invest and put in place the necessary staff, beds and resources we need to deliver what is required of the NHS throughout the year. Time is running out to put plans in place for sufficient capacity ahead of this winter.”