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| Winter NHS pressures 'bite early' | Winter NHS pressures 'bite early' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Winter pressures are biting early with latest figures showing a host of targets are being missed and signs more patients are getting stuck in hospital. | Winter pressures are biting early with latest figures showing a host of targets are being missed and signs more patients are getting stuck in hospital. |
| Data from NHS England showed in September the health service missed its A&E target to see, treat or discharge patients within four hours. | Data from NHS England showed in September the health service missed its A&E target to see, treat or discharge patients within four hours. |
| Performance also fell short on access to cancer treatment, diagnostic tests and ambulance response times. | Performance also fell short on access to cancer treatment, diagnostic tests and ambulance response times. |
| Delays discharging hospital patients have also reached record levels. | Delays discharging hospital patients have also reached record levels. |
| A snapshot taken on the last Thursday of the month showed more than 5,000 patients were were occupying beds, even though they were ready to leave. | A snapshot taken on the last Thursday of the month showed more than 5,000 patients were were occupying beds, even though they were ready to leave. |
| This was the worst level since records began in 2010 - and the rise in delays over the past few months has been largely driven by problems accessing social care services, such as help in the home. | |
| The monthly data also showed: | The monthly data also showed: |
| However, there were some measures the NHS did meet. In total six of the eight cancer targets were met, while the 18-week target for patients to be seen for non-emergency operations such as knee and hip replacements was achieved. | However, there were some measures the NHS did meet. In total six of the eight cancer targets were met, while the 18-week target for patients to be seen for non-emergency operations such as knee and hip replacements was achieved. |
| Shadow health secretary Heidi Alexander said it looks like it will be the "most difficult winter for 30 years". | |
| She added: "There is now clear evidence that the cuts to social care are not only devastating for the lives of vulnerable older people, but are having a knock-on effect on the NHS." |