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Sharp rise in A&Es turning away ambulances | Sharp rise in A&Es turning away ambulances |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Overcrowded hospitals in England were forced to close their doors nearly 500 times to ambulances this winter. | Overcrowded hospitals in England were forced to close their doors nearly 500 times to ambulances this winter. |
The number of diverts was nearly double the level in the previous three winters and has prompted warnings about the pressures facing the health service. | The number of diverts was nearly double the level in the previous three winters and has prompted warnings about the pressures facing the health service. |
Hospitals said closures were a last resort but had to be done to maintain safety in A&E. | Hospitals said closures were a last resort but had to be done to maintain safety in A&E. |
But paramedics warned it had the knock-on effect of slowing their ability to get to the sick and injured quickly. | But paramedics warned it had the knock-on effect of slowing their ability to get to the sick and injured quickly. |
Ambulance crews have failed to hit any of their response time targets since May 2015, with latest figures showing that a third of the most critically ill patients wait longer than eight minutes for a 999 response. | Ambulance crews have failed to hit any of their response time targets since May 2015, with latest figures showing that a third of the most critically ill patients wait longer than eight minutes for a 999 response. |
Richard Webber, from the Royal College of Paramedics, said that while he was "sympathetic" to the problems hospitals were facing, the diverts were a significant cause of delays in reaching "seriously ill and injured patients". | Richard Webber, from the Royal College of Paramedics, said that while he was "sympathetic" to the problems hospitals were facing, the diverts were a significant cause of delays in reaching "seriously ill and injured patients". |
"There is a double whammy in that not only do crews have to drive further away once a divert is implemented - [but] once that's happened, an ambulance crew will then also need to travel further to get back to their own area to respond to the next call." | "There is a double whammy in that not only do crews have to drive further away once a divert is implemented - [but] once that's happened, an ambulance crew will then also need to travel further to get back to their own area to respond to the next call." |
The figures, compiled by the Nuffield Trust think tank from official NHS data, showed there were 478 diverts in December, January and February. | The figures, compiled by the Nuffield Trust think tank from official NHS data, showed there were 478 diverts in December, January and February. |
That compared to 265 the winter before, 258 in 2014-15 and 225 in 2013-14. | That compared to 265 the winter before, 258 in 2014-15 and 225 in 2013-14. |
Prof John Appleby, of the Nuffield Trust, said tackling the issue should be an "urgent priority". | Prof John Appleby, of the Nuffield Trust, said tackling the issue should be an "urgent priority". |
"The extra time crews are having to spend on the road is not helping the ambulance service's ability to meet its response time targets," he said. | "The extra time crews are having to spend on the road is not helping the ambulance service's ability to meet its response time targets," he said. |
He also said his research showed there was low morale among ambulance staff, which he said was worrying. | He also said his research showed there was low morale among ambulance staff, which he said was worrying. |
The diverts normally last only a couple of hours and are put in place to allow A&E staff to reduce the queues of patients waiting for treatment. | The diverts normally last only a couple of hours and are put in place to allow A&E staff to reduce the queues of patients waiting for treatment. |
When a divert is put in place, ambulances are routed to other nearby hospitals. | When a divert is put in place, ambulances are routed to other nearby hospitals. |
Five hospital trusts accounted for nearly half of the diverts. These were: | Five hospital trusts accounted for nearly half of the diverts. These were: |
Saffron Cordery, of NHS Providers, which represents hospitals, said the trend was "stark". | Saffron Cordery, of NHS Providers, which represents hospitals, said the trend was "stark". |
"Diverting ambulances to other hospitals is disruptive for paramedics and bad for patients. | "Diverting ambulances to other hospitals is disruptive for paramedics and bad for patients. |
"The sharp increase in the number of diversions is very worrying. Further steps will be needed across health and social care to address these pressures." | "The sharp increase in the number of diversions is very worrying. Further steps will be needed across health and social care to address these pressures." |
NHS England pointed out many of the diverts would be to hospitals close by so patients were not being sent to hospitals a long way from their homes. | NHS England pointed out many of the diverts would be to hospitals close by so patients were not being sent to hospitals a long way from their homes. |
In a statement, the organisation added too many ambulances were being dispatched to simply try to hit targets - and it was now reviewing the system to see if there was a more efficient way of running the service to relieve the pressure. | In a statement, the organisation added too many ambulances were being dispatched to simply try to hit targets - and it was now reviewing the system to see if there was a more efficient way of running the service to relieve the pressure. |
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