The
latest NHS situation reports for A&E performance have been published today
and show Theresa May’s winter crisis stretching into spring.

·         
Emergency
admissions in the week ending 12 March were the highest they have been so far
this winter and A&E attendances in the week ending 12 March were the
highest since December.

·         
In the week ending 12 March, there were
19 temporary diverts from one A&E to another to provide temporary respite.
Overall, there have been around 84 per cent more diverts this winter than last
winter.

·         
In
the week ending 12 March, 34 different trusts reported serious operational
pressures at some point. On average, 20 trusts each day reported serious
operational pressures.

·         
Last week, 13 trusts had average bed
occupancy over 99 per cent – up from 12 in the previous week.

Jonathan
Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, said:

“Standards
for NHS patients have collapsed this winter because Theresa May just hasn’t
given the health service the resources and the priority it needs.

“It
beggars belief that such pressure is still being seen on A&E after months
of crisis – it is a sign of a wider system creaking under the strain of Tory
neglect.

“The
Prime Minister needs to get a grip and make clear what action she’s going to
take so that patients and their families never have to suffer a winter like
this ever again.”

Cat
Smith MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Voter Engagement and Youth Affairs, commenting on
45forthe45th Legacy report published today, said:

“It
is shocking that over 70 per cent of young people have never experienced
political education in school, college or university.

“As
the Tories take the country down a path of Brexit chaos, it is essential that
young people are educated about the civic and public institutions which frame
our laws. Not only will this increase voter engagement and turnout, but it will
make government more accountable for its actions.”

Andrew
Gwynne MP, Labour’s Campaigns and Elections Chair, responding to Theresa May’s speech
to the Conservative Party Spring Conference, said:

“The PM
claims she has a plan for a fairer, more ‘united Britain’ but she’s pursing an
agenda which will do the opposite.

“As their
shambolic Budget has shown, the Tories have no plan to stand up for ordinary
people and their promises aren’t worth the paper they’re written on – they
break them whenever it suits them. Under them those at the top get tax breaks,
while middle and low earners are worse off, targeted for cuts and tax
increases. Far from building a stronger Britain, the Tories are undermining
what makes our country great, running the NHS down, squeezing our schools and
crushing aspiration. And their shambolic approach to Brexit risks a bad deal
for Britain, meaning we’ll all be worse off.

“Britain
is worse off under the Tories.”

Julie Cooper MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Minister
for Care in the Community, commenting
on the 20p increase in prescription charges, said:

“It
is disappointing to see the Government increasing prescription charges. While
20p may not seem a lot it will impact on those people who are already
struggling with the rising cost of living. At the same time the Government is
also increasing patient charges for NHS dental care, as well as raising charges
for wigs and fabric supports.

“The
rise in prescription charges is a reflection of this Government’s financial
mismanagement of the National Health Service. At a time when the cost of living
continues to rise the Government ought to be doing much more to help people
with the cost of healthcare.”

Andrew
Gwynne MP, Labour’s Campaigns and Elections Chair, commenting on the
unravelling of the Tory Budget, said:

“The
Tories are in a mess, riven by infighting and failure and disarray.

“They
have embarrassed themselves over the Budget, they still have no answers on
Brexit and they’re fighting between themselves rather than fixing the problems.

“Theresa
May says she has a plan and is sticking to it, but almost every day we see
another promise broken or another change of heart. Flagship policies are being
delayed or abandoned altogether while working people across this country bear
the brunt of the Tories’ incompetence.

“It is
now clearer than ever that Theresa May cannot give Britain the change we need.
Working people deserve
better than Tory failure – only a Labour Government will stand up for them and
their families.”

Ends