Doctors warn Wes Streeting’s ‘broken’ NHS message puts lives at risk

Professor Kamila Hawthorneminister Royal College of General PractitionersHe said: “No one should feel they have to avoid a routine appointment or ignore urgent symptoms because of the pressures facing general practice and the NHS.

“While it is widely accepted that general practice has reached crisis point, our patients need to know that we are still here for them and should not be deterred from turning to GP surgeries or other NHS services when they need our care.” .”

The government said 10 year health plan It was “a real opportunity to turn things around for patients” and called for improvements in the recruitment and retention of GPs.

‘The health system is collapsing’

Doctor Ian HigginsonThe vice-chairman of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine said the “health and social care system in this country” was open to everyone. unsuccessful and EDs are at the sharp end of this failure”.

“Of course, we worry that patients will stop coming when they hear how bad things are. “We are especially concerned that those who need our services the most are the ones most anxious about participating,” he said.

“But there is no point in painting a rosy picture because the reality of the situation becomes apparent the moment it enters one of our departments, and as doctors we experience the reality every time we go to work.”

He added: “We hope that in the coming period Budget The announcement will reflect the Government’s commitment to improving standards of emergency care.

‘We want action, not words’

Doctor Nick MurchThe president of the Society for Acute Medicine said: “There is growing concern among clinicians that people are feeling ill at home but are not attending or attending hospital because they are afraid of being seen for long periods of time. corridor maintenance, and consequently incurring losses due to urgent problems as well as delays and even absenteeism.

“Under tremendous pressure, urgent and emergency services Hospitals will remain open to all patients in serious condition, and healthcare workers will continue to work despite the challenging conditions as we enter a potentially very long winter period.

“Some of the language used by government officials may be influencing people’s concerns about accessing healthcare, so it is important that they bear in mind the impact of this without providing adequate reassurance about the measures they are taking to improve the situation,” he said.

“The ongoing narrative that the NHS is broken has been repeated many times, but we want action, not words, so that the NHS can begin to make the changes necessary to stop the current decline, which currently shows no signs of abating.

“As the Secretary of State for Health himself has stated, prevention is a key factor in supporting the NHS, so attending GP appointments and also taking early and appropriate action in the event of illness vaccine uptakewill be key in the current climate.

“If patients present late in the course of their illness, this could put negative pressure on the NHS.”