NHS hit by ‘humanitarian crisis’ as two die waiting in hospital corridors and seven swamped trusts turn patients away from emergency wards in just one week
Emergency rooms turn away record number of patients as medics struggle through worst ever week
THE NHS is “on its knees” as winter pressures mount, England’s top emergency doctor admitted yesterday.
He spoke as it emerged A&E medics struggled through their worst ever week, having to shut their doors a record number of times.
Two patients died in one hospital waiting in its corridors, one from a heart attack and the other from an aneurysm.
At least seven trusts issued Twitter pleas to stay away unless facing a real emergency — and the British Red Cross sent in ambulances while warning of a “humanitarian crisis”.
Shock figures showed casualty units turned away patients 42 times, sending them to neighbouring hospitals.
'Wards are under intense pressure'
PATIENTS fear an overcrowded hospital is in meltdown after two died in corridors this week.
One woman, left on a trolley for 35 hours, died of a heart attack and a man had a fatal aneurysm.
Another patient hanged himself at Worcester Royal Hospital.
One patient said: “It’s hell.”
The hospital admitted it was under “intense pressure”.
The number is more than double the same period last year, and up on the previous high of 39.
Meanwhile data from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine showed just 77.6 per cent of patients were treated within four hours — the lowest since records began in 2004, and falling way short of the 95 per cent target.
RCEM president Dr Taj Hassan said: “The scale of the crisis has reached new heights. The emergency care system is on its knees, despite the huge efforts of staff.”
He blamed a lack of A&E casualty medics, plus social care cuts for fuelling bed-blocking.
Trusts in Mid Essex, Ipswich, North Cumbria, Kingston, Bristol, Buckinghamshire and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough were among those asking patients to stay away.
The scale of the crisis has reached new heights. The emergency care system is on its knees, despite the huge efforts of staff
Fifty trusts, one in three, were placed on alert last month as they struggled with demand. And seven were so swamped major internal incidents were declared.
The British Red Cross said it had crews working across Plymouth, Nottingham, Leicester, Lincoln, Kettering and Northampton.
'My freezing mum could've died'
THE NHS is “on its knees” as winter pressures mount, England’s top emergency doctor admitted yesterday.
He spoke as it emerged A&E medics struggled through their worst ever week, having to shut their doors a record number of times.
- England's top emergency doc says the scale of the NHS crisis has 'reached new heights' as A&Es had their busiest week on record
Two patients died in one hospital waiting in its corridors, one from a heart attack and the other from an aneurysm.
At least seven trusts issued Twitter pleas to stay away unless facing a real emergency — and the British Red Cross sent in ambulances while warning of a “humanitarian crisis”.
Shock figures showed casualty units turned away patients 42 times, sending them to neighbouring hospitals.
- Data shows only 77 per cent of A&E patients were treated within four hours last week, the lowest percentage since records began in 2004
'Wards are under intense pressure'
PATIENTS fear an overcrowded hospital is in meltdown after two died in corridors this week.
One woman, left on a trolley for 35 hours, died of a heart attack and a man had a fatal aneurysm.
Another patient hanged himself at Worcester Royal Hospital.
One patient said: “It’s hell.”
The hospital admitted it was under “intense pressure”.
The number is more than double the same period last year, and up on the previous high of 39.
Meanwhile data from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine showed just 77.6 per cent of patients were treated within four hours — the lowest since records began in 2004, and falling way short of the 95 per cent target.
RCEM president Dr Taj Hassan said: “The scale of the crisis has reached new heights. The emergency care system is on its knees, despite the huge efforts of staff.”
He blamed a lack of A&E casualty medics, plus social care cuts for fuelling bed-blocking.
Trusts in Mid Essex, Ipswich, North Cumbria, Kingston, Bristol, Buckinghamshire and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough were among those asking patients to stay away.
The scale of the crisis has reached new heights. The emergency care system is on its knees, despite the huge efforts of staff
Fifty trusts, one in three, were placed on alert last month as they struggled with demand. And seven were so swamped major internal incidents were declared.
The British Red Cross said it had crews working across Plymouth, Nottingham, Leicester, Lincoln, Kettering and Northampton.
'My freezing mum could've died'
AUDREY Esposito, 93, had to lie freezing cold for 40 minutes after a fall due to lack of ambulances. Cops eventually flagged down a paramedic who drove her to Bristol’s Southmead Hospital. Audrey, pictured, is still there ten days on. Son John Standfield, 59, said: “She could’ve died.” South Western Ambulance Service said it was one of 2016’s “busiest days”.
Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said: “Hospitals have become dangerously over-crowded.”
Last night an NHS England spokesman said: “Over the Christmas and New Year period A&E visits and everyday hospital admissions peaked on December 27 and 28 and NHS 111 had its busiest week ever.
“Plans remain in place to deal with additional demands during the winter and the public can play their part using local pharmacy and NHS 111 for medical advice, alongside other services.”
THE number of people going to A&E with dental problems is near 135,000 a year — almost ten times official figures — according to a study by Newcastle University and the British Dental Association.
Is the NHS in meltdown?
Call Penny Smith from 8am on 0344 499 1000
Listen on DAB, via the talkRADIO app or online at
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Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said: “Hospitals have become dangerously over-crowded.”
Last night an NHS England spokesman said: “Over the Christmas and New Year period A&E visits and everyday hospital admissions peaked on December 27 and 28 and NHS 111 had its busiest week ever.
“Plans remain in place to deal with additional demands during the winter and the public can play their part using local pharmacy and NHS 111 for medical advice, alongside other services.”
THE number of people going to A&E with dental problems is near 135,000 a year — almost ten times official figures — according to a study by Newcastle University and the British Dental Association.
Is the NHS in meltdown?
Call Penny Smith from 8am on 0344 499 1000
Listen on DAB, via the talkRADIO app or online at