The RCP has responded to NHS England’s latest performance data showing that bed occupancy rates and A&E admissions continue to be a concern.
Responding to the latest NHSE performance data, Dr John Dean, clinical vice president of the Royal College of Physicians, said:
“The pressure on A&E remains high, with last month being the busiest April on record for both A&E attendances and admissions, even with reductions across both areas compared to March 2024. The number of patients left waiting more than 12 hours in A&E continues to be a concern and indicates that too many will have been treated in corridors when no ward space is available. Expecting patients to wait for 12 hours in a corridor with acute illness is simply unacceptable.
“1 in 5 general and acute beds were occupied by patients who have been in hospital for 21 days or more. Some of these patients would have been ready to be discharged but could not for a range of reasons including community care pressures or lack of available transport.
“While today’s data shows promising signs of improvement for those waiting the longest for treatment, and the overall list remained stable in March, there’s no denying that too many people continue to wait too long for care, despite the best efforts of staff.
“It’s clear that hospitals urgently need additional staff, beds and capacity, as well as speedier transfers of care into the community when patients are ready to leave hospital. Patients need better access to social care and the NHS must invest in intermediate care and admission prevention to reduce the need for hospital stays.”