Labour’s
analysis of the first two weeks of winter data (20 November to 3 December)
released today by NHS England, reveals 20,818 patients were stuck in the back
of ambulances for over 30 minutes.
Jonathan
Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, commenting on
Labour’s analysis of the first weekly situation reports issued by NHS England,
said:
“After
an inadequate Budget for the NHS, healthcare leaders warned of an imminent and
unprecedented winter crisis. Today’s data reveals a stark picture of what lies
ahead: a winter of misery for patients and unparalleled pressures on our NHS
staff.
“Our
new analysis of ambulance diverts reveals the dire impact Tory underfunding is
already having on thousands of patients unable to promptly access A&E
Departments right across the country. Some Trusts are already completely full
with no spare beds- an extremely worrying indicator of what is still to come
particularly after NHS Improvement’s explicit warning that handover delays
“should not occur”.
“Astonishingly,
the small pot of winter pressures funding in the Budget has still not been
allocated to struggling Trusts. Ministers must urgently explain why this money
has not been forthcoming and be held to account for the reality that when the
money does eventually arrive it will come far too late to be used to maximum
effect.”
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