Labour’s new analysis of the
latest weekly winter data released today by NHS England reveals that half of
England’s paediatric intensive care units were over 85% full last week.
In the period 18th December to
24th December, over one third of England’s children’s care units were 100%
full, with not a single spare bed.
Labour’s analysis further reveals:
· On Christmas Eve, one third of
children’s care units were running at dangerously high levels.
· On 19th December, the worst day
last week, 55% of paediatric intensive care units were running at over 85% capacity,
and 47% were 100% full, with not a single spare bed.
Responding to Labour’s analysis of
occupancy rates in children’s care units, Jonathan Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow
Health Secretary, said:
“Despite the very best efforts of our brilliant NHS staff, our findings today
reveal a distressing picture of the unprecedented pressures on paediatric
intensive care units across the country.
“To run a children’s care unit
above 85% occupancy places patient safety at significant risk and is an
entirely intolerable situation.
“With the New Year fast
approaching and demand likely to further increase, the Government must urgently
explain in the New Year how they will avoid another appalling slump in care
this winter.”
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