New photo Hospitals told to prepare for the toughest winter after worst November for A&E on record

HOSPITALS have been warned to brace for the toughest winter ever after A&Es suffered the worst November on record.

Experts say the NHS is already under “tremendous strain” despite the mild temperatures and no major outbreaks of flu.

Some 1,940 people were stuck in the back of an ambulance for over an hour

Official figures show just 81% of patients were seen within four hours at major A&E units last month – well below the 95% target. And there were 25 periods last week when emergency departments turned away ambulances because they could not cope.

Some 1,940 people were stuck in the back of an ambulance for over an hour and 4.3million patients remain on NHS waiting lists.

One in ten hospital trusts did not have a single bed spare on at least one day last week and two were completely full every day.

Bed occupancy averaged 94.2% nationwide, almost 10% above the level considered safe.

Official figures show just 81% of patients were seen within four hours at major A&E units last month – well below the 95% target

Getty - Contributor

Siva Anandaciva, from The King’s Fund health think tank, said: “The first set of winter statistics show the NHS already under tremendous strain and patients waiting longer and longer for care. Despite a mild start to winter and low flu levels, targets are still being badly missed. These figures show little slack in a system which is operating consistently in the red zone.”

Dr Nick Scriven, from the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “We have a significant problem.

After decades of bed reductions there are simply not enough appropriately staffed beds available to meet the current demand and this has many serious knock-on effects for patients.”

Miriam Deakin, from NHS Providers, which represents trusts, said: “The NHS is on course for a very difficult winter. With the most busy and challenging months of the year still ahead, trusts and their staff are steeling themselves for a challenging winter.”

Donna Kinnair, from the Royal College of Nursing, said: “The cold weather is only just beginning to bite, yet it seems NHS performance dipped to a worrying level for mild temperatures last week.

One in ten hospital trusts did not have a single bed spare on at least one day last week and two were completely full every day

Alamy

“As the weather turns colder and winter begins in earnest, these figures leave questions to be answered about how hospital services will cope.”

Jonathan Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, said: “Winter is only just beginning for our NHS and these are hugely concerning figures that don’t bode well for the difficult weeks ahead.

“It would be totally unforgivable if patients suffered another winter crisis like the ones we’ve seen in recent years.”

Dr Becks Fisher, from the Health Foundation think tank, said: “Today’s data paints a picture of a system struggling against strong tides.

MOST READ IN HEALTH

warning signs

Seemingly normal aches and pains in your legs could be a sign of serious DVT

BABY GLOOM

Fertility watchdog crackdown on clinics 'enticing desperate women with financial incentives to give eggs away'

BREAKFAST CLUB

This is the best thing to eat before your morning workout

'SICK MAN OF EUROPE'

Brits' lag EU for life expectancy gains as UN calls for action on UK's toxic air

BREEDING OUT ALZ

Scientists find 'subtle signal' that Alzheimer's will eventually be eradicated by natural selection

HERE'S THE SKINNY

What is the South Beach diet, what foods are restricted, is it safe and are there any success stories?

“With adverse weather, flu and vomiting viruses yet to fully hit, the NHS faces its toughest winter yet.”

Niall Dickson, from the NHS Confederation, said: “This is deeply troubling. Hospitals are now having to operate at unsafe levels.

“On the frontline, staff are under incredible pressure, treating more patients than ever. But they cannot work miracles.

“The cold, hard reality is that the NHS cannot keep pace with demand. These figures suggest we could be heading for one of the bleakest winters yet.”

---

• GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk

---

Link
https://textbacklinkexchanges.com/hospitals-told-to-prepare-for-the-toughest-winter-after-worst-november-for-ae-on-record/
News Pictures Hospitals told to prepare for the toughest winter after worst November for A&E on record

You don’t have to pack away your bikini just because you’re the wrong side of 20. These body-beautiful stars reveal their secrets to staying in shape and prove you can smoulder in a two-piece, whatever your age. Read on and be bikini inspired!

TEENS
Hayden Panettiere
Size: 8
Age: 18
Height: 5ft 1in
Weight: 8st

To achieve her kick-ass figure, Hayden – who plays cheerleader Claire Bennet in Heroes – follows the ‘quartering’ rule. She eats only a quarter of the food on her plate, then waits 20 minutes before deciding whether she needs to eat again.

Hayden says: “I don’t have a model’s body, but I’m not one of those crazy girls who thinks that they’re fat. I’m OK with what I have.”

Nicollette says: “I don’t like diets – I see it, I eat it! I believe in eating healthily with lots of protein, vegetables and carbs to give you energy.”

kim cattrall

Size: 10-12
Age: 52
Height: 5ft 8in
Weight: 9st 4lb

SATC star Kim swears by gym sessions with Russian kettle bells (traditional cast-iron weights) and the South Beach Diet to give her the body she wants. To avoid overeating, Kim has a radical diet trick – squirting lemon juice on her leftovers – so she won’t carry on picking.

Kim says: “I am no super-thin Hollywood actress. I am built for men who like women to look like women.”
https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/nintchdbpict000376132231-1.jpg?strip=all&w=960