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| A&E: sharp rise in number of patients turned away | A&E: sharp rise in number of patients turned away |
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| The number of hospitals that have to turn patients away from A&E rose sharply at the start of the year, compared with the same period in 2015. | The number of hospitals that have to turn patients away from A&E rose sharply at the start of the year, compared with the same period in 2015. |
| Referred to as diverts, such incidents reflect the enormous pressure the health service faces, especially in winter. In the first two weeks of 2016, there were 52 diverts, compared with 35 in the same period last year, according to NHS data. | Referred to as diverts, such incidents reflect the enormous pressure the health service faces, especially in winter. In the first two weeks of 2016, there were 52 diverts, compared with 35 in the same period last year, according to NHS data. |
| Related: Hospital A&E waiting times hit worst level on record | Related: Hospital A&E waiting times hit worst level on record |
| The NHS weekly winter update showed there were 27 diverts last week and 25 in the week before. This compares with an a weekly average of 20 last winter, when the health service had to cope with record A&E attendances. | The NHS weekly winter update showed there were 27 diverts last week and 25 in the week before. This compares with an a weekly average of 20 last winter, when the health service had to cope with record A&E attendances. |
| The NHS says diverts caused by lack of physical or staff capacity should be a last resort and should be agreed with neighbouring trusts. | The NHS says diverts caused by lack of physical or staff capacity should be a last resort and should be agreed with neighbouring trusts. |
| “This sharp rise in the number of hospitals having to turn patients away is a stark illustration of just how much pressure A&E departments are under this winter,” said Heidi Alexander, the shadow health secretary. | |
| Related: The NHS data dashboard: babies born, salaries paid, the winter crisis | Related: The NHS data dashboard: babies born, salaries paid, the winter crisis |
| “Ministers might be in denial, but the reality is that on their watch hospital departments have become dangerously full, patients are waiting hours in A&E and the NHS is facing a nurse staffing crisis. It is little wonder therefore that hospital bosses have no other option but to close their doors in order to cope.” | “Ministers might be in denial, but the reality is that on their watch hospital departments have become dangerously full, patients are waiting hours in A&E and the NHS is facing a nurse staffing crisis. It is little wonder therefore that hospital bosses have no other option but to close their doors in order to cope.” |
| There were 318,442 A&E attendances at trusts with a major A&E department last week, compared with 299,281 in the same week last year. | There were 318,442 A&E attendances at trusts with a major A&E department last week, compared with 299,281 in the same week last year. |
| Related: How do I ... know when to go to A&E? | Related: How do I ... know when to go to A&E? |
| The highest figures recorded for winter attendances were in December 2014, when the NHS dealt with 446,473 in the week ending 21 December, and 440,428 in the week ending 14 December. | The highest figures recorded for winter attendances were in December 2014, when the NHS dealt with 446,473 in the week ending 21 December, and 440,428 in the week ending 14 December. |
| “These latest A&E attendances and emergency admissions statistics show our hospitals remain under pressure,” said Richard Barker, the interim national director of commissioning operations for NHS England. | |
| “This data was collated before the bad weather began to bite, so we can expect attendances to rise, bringing with them further seasonal pressures.” |