The NHS system is teetering on the brink of disaster this winter, as recent statistics highlight alarming ambulance handover times at hospitals nationwide placing thousands of vulnerable patients at risk due to these protracted delays. Medical experts, now facing a new government regime, are calling for urgent action, although their outlook remains grim.
Fresh insights into NHS England’s performance have shed light on the shocking handover times that ambulances are enduring at various NHS trusts and hospitals, putting an unprecedented number of patients in jeopardy. With a change in governance, there is a clarion call from healthcare professionals for immediate policy action, though they remain sceptical about any short-term improvements.
On the HSJ Health Check podcast, Alison Moore delivered a sobering account of the troubling data predominately recorded during the traditionally calmer spring and summer months. Against a backdrop of concern expressed by host Annabelle Collins regarding the approaching winter season, Moore sombrely forecasted a negligible difference.
Moore offered a stark analogy: “The NHS is in a position almost between Narnia and Game of Thrones at the moment in that it is perpetually winter.”
Despite the challenges normally associated with winter, such as increased viral infections and general decline in health due to cold weather, Moore highlighted how the scorching heatwave in June had already subjected NHS and ambulance services in some regions to equal if not greater stress levels.
The new Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, has openly described the NHS as a broken system, sparking concern.
In his first few days in office, he ordered an independent investigation into the state of the NHS, which will form the basis for the government’s plans to reform the health service.
Streeting added: “Anyone who works in or uses the NHS can see it is broken. This government will be honest about the challenges facing the health service, and serious about tackling them. This investigation will uncover hard truths and I’ve asked for nothing to be held back.”
While experts on the podcast appreciated the honesty and transparency around the NHS, Moore highlighted that the issue of ambulance handover times won’t be resolved quickly. She explained that the current aim for ambulances with suspected stroke or heart attack patients is to have them fully handed over to hospital care within 30 minutes.
Moore stated: “The real target is actually 18 minutes, but no one’s talking about 18 minutes at the moment though,” she noted that the goal of 30 minutes was set for the 2023-2024 financial year and was missed by “6 or 7 minutes”.
She expressed her pessimism regarding the ambulance response times in May, stating: “I think the indications so far are that it’s going to be missed…if I was a betting person, I would say that unless something changes very dramatically, it will be missed this year as well.”
