Commenting on the NHS Digital Combined Monthly Performance summary statistics published this morning, Janet Morrison, Chief Executive of Independent Age, the older people’s charity, said:
“These figures paint a picture of a health and social care system ill-prepared for the coming winter pressures. We are seeing an increase in the number of people being admitted to hospital as an emergency, while targets on waiting time for treatment are being missed. More people are calling NHS 111, and the number of abandoned calls to the service has increased. Meanwhile, 5,800 beds badly needed for the busiest months of the year are being occupied by people well enough to leave hospital but unable to. For the older person worried about their health, waiting for treatment, or simply wanting to get back home after being in hospital, the system is too often failing them. The Government must heed the calls of NHS leaders and local government and urgently set out how they plan to stabilise health and care services this coming winter.”