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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Hospitals 'imploding' as waits at worst-ever level | Hospitals 'imploding' as waits at worst-ever level |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| More patients than ever before are on hospital waiting lists in England and delays in A&E have hit their worst level since records began figures show. | More patients than ever before are on hospital waiting lists in England and delays in A&E have hit their worst level since records began figures show. |
| The target to start cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral is also being missed. | The target to start cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral is also being missed. |
| The monthly statistics are the worst since targets were introduced over a decade ago, prompting doctors to warn the system was "imploding". | The monthly statistics are the worst since targets were introduced over a decade ago, prompting doctors to warn the system was "imploding". |
| None of the three key hospital targets have been met for over three years. | None of the three key hospital targets have been met for over three years. |
| The figures show: | The figures show: |
| Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are all missing their targets, although health is devolved so NHS decisions are taken by the administrations in those parts of the UK. | |
| Doctors fear for NHS | |
| NHS England said hospitals were under pressure, seeing "more older and sicker patients". | NHS England said hospitals were under pressure, seeing "more older and sicker patients". |
| A spokesman said, with winter coming, hospitals would be opening extra beds. | A spokesman said, with winter coming, hospitals would be opening extra beds. |
| But he urged the public to play their part by getting the flu jab and using the 111 phone line and NHS online services "as first port of call for non-emergencies". | But he urged the public to play their part by getting the flu jab and using the 111 phone line and NHS online services "as first port of call for non-emergencies". |
| Dr Nick Scriven, of the Society of Acute Medicine, said: "These figures are truly worrying as we haven't even reached the 'traditional' winter period yet." | Dr Nick Scriven, of the Society of Acute Medicine, said: "These figures are truly worrying as we haven't even reached the 'traditional' winter period yet." |
| He said urgent action was needed, warning hospitals were "imploding". | He said urgent action was needed, warning hospitals were "imploding". |
| "We have heard so many announcements over the last few weeks of half-baked projects that require either thrice promised money or are totally uncosted for the real world." | "We have heard so many announcements over the last few weeks of half-baked projects that require either thrice promised money or are totally uncosted for the real world." |
| 'I was left in excruciating pain' | |
| Frances Reid, 55, is one of many patients who have faced a long wait for treatment. | |
| She said she was left in "excruciating" pain waiting for her hip replacement. | |
| Ms Reid, from South Cambridgeshire, was referred for surgery in January 2018 after struggling for the previous two years with hip pain. | |
| She should have been seen in April 2018, but waited until July for her surgery. | |
| The NHS ended up paying for her to be treated at a private unit because of the wait. | |
| "The final weeks were really difficult. I was walking up six, seven times a night and had to use walking sticks to get around. | |
| "Daily tasks like shopping became very difficult." | |
| Have you waited more than four hours in A&E? Or have you waited more than 18 weeks for hospital treatment? Tell us your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Have you waited more than four hours in A&E? Or have you waited more than 18 weeks for hospital treatment? Tell us your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below: | Or use the form below: |