Ambulance handover delays worst on record for this time of year

Published

2 years ago

January 19, 2023

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Ambulance handover delays are at their worst on record for this time of year, NHS figures show.

Almost a quarter (23%) of ambulance patients waited at least 30 minutes to be handed to A&E teams last week.

It was the lowest level the figure has been all winter, down from 36% the previous week and 44% in the week to 1 January.

One in 10 patients waited more than an hour to be handed over to A&E teams last week – also the lowest so far this winter and down week-on-week from one in 20.

Hospital bed occupancy was at the second highest level recorded this winter, with more than 19 in 20 beds occupied across general and acute hospital wards.

More than 14,000 beds were taken up by patients who no longer needed to be there – the second highest amount ever recorded and 12% higher than the same period last year.

However, the number of flu patients in hospital in England fell by more than a third in a week, suggesting the current wave of infections may have peaked.

An average of 3,447 flu patients were in hospital beds each day last week, down 35% from 5,262 during the seven days to 8 January. At this point last winter the figure stood at just 41.

It follows a surge in flu cases in the weeks before Christmas, which the UK Health Security Agency described as the worst flu season for a decade.

Some positive signs, but substantial pressure remains across NHS

There are some positive signs: marginal improvements in bed capacity and ambulance handovers and flu patients declining.

But there remains substantial pressure across the NHS.

The delayed discharge of patients is still one of the biggest challenges.

There are now more than 14,000 of these patients who are deemed medically fit for discharge. At the same time last year the number was about 12,500.

Social care leaders do not like this term and say it is misleading as many of these patients still need ongoing clinical care albeit in their own homes.

The money made available by the government to buy care beds needs to reach the front line as quickly as possible if it is to have any impact on easing the capacity crisis.

Social care leaders say the move is a short-term fix at best and the workforce crisis in social care must be addressed. There are still some 165,000 vacancies in this sector and recruitment and retention is a major issue.

Better news is the number of flu patients in hospitals is going down.

That correlates with recent flu and COVID reports that show infections since the start of the year have been declining. Hopefully this will continue giving hospitals such much-needed respite.

But pressure on emergency services continues. High demand is driving this and ambulance handovers are still reaching record levels because of issue with hospital capacity.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England’s national medical director, said: “These figures show that the NHS remains under significant pressure, with near record highs of people in hospital who are medically fit to leave and a high number of beds occupied in hospitals across England.

“The NHS has done extensive preparation for this winter – rolling out extra beds, falls services and nationwide 24/7 control centres to track and manage demand.

“The public can also help by using the best services for their condition – 999 in an emergency and otherwise 111 online, and there is still time to getting vaccinations if eligible.”

UK

Kemi Badenoch calls on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq over property allegations

Published

1 hour ago

January 12, 2025

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Kemi Badenoch calls on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq over property allegations

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.

It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.

He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.

Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.

“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.

“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”

Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.

Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.

Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.

As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.

She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.

On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.

“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”

UK

Search area widened for missing sisters in Aberdeen

Published

1 hour ago

January 12, 2025

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Search area widened for missing sisters in Aberdeen

Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.

Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.

The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.

They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.

Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.

Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.

Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.

Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.

“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”

The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.

Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.

Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.

UK

Katie Piper reveals artificial eye decision – 16 years after acid attack

Published

1 hour ago

January 12, 2025

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Katie Piper reveals artificial eye decision - 16 years after acid attack

TV presenter Katie Piper has revealed her decision to get an artificial eye, 16 years after an acid attack that left her with life-changing injuries and partial blindness.

The Loose Women panellist, 41, is an advocate for those with burns and disfigurement injuries.

She shared a video of her being fitted with the prosthetic on Instagram.

Piper said: “After many years battling with my eye health, I’ve reached the end of the road somewhat, and the decision has been made to try a prosthetic eye shell.

“This marks the start of a journey to have an artificial eye, with an incredible medical team behind me.

“As always I’m incredibly grateful to all those in the NHS and private health care system for their talent and kindness.

“I will share my journey, I’m hopeful and nervous about being able to tolerate it and would love to hear from any of you in the comments if you’ve been on this journey or have any advice.”

Commenting on the post, presenter Lisa Snowdon said Piper was a “warrior” and a “true inspiration”.

Piper has undergone hundreds of operations after suffering an acid attack arranged by her ex-boyfriend in March 2008.

She gave up her right to anonymity and made a documentary in 2009 called Katie: My Beautiful Face.

Piper also founded the Katie Piper Foundation which supports survivors of life-changing burns and scars, and has received an honorary doctorate from the Royal College of Surgeons to mark her ground-breaking work.

She was made an OBE in 2021 for her services to charity and burn victims.