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Hospitals 'struggle to discharge patients' Political row deepens over A&E problems
(about 1 hour later)
Hospitals are reporting they are facing problems discharging patients as they struggle to cope with A&E pressures. The political row over the problems facing A&E units has deepened with Labour leader Ed Miliband accusing the government of "betraying patients".
A number of NHS trusts have declared major incidents in recent days, with cases emerging of patients being treated in corridors and ambulances queuing outside A&E. Data for the last three months showed waiting times in England had dropped to their worst levels for a decade.
But hospital chiefs have also warned they face difficulties getting patients out of hospital too. In the first prime minister's questions of 2015, Mr Miliband said the government's policies were the cause.
It comes as David Cameron and Ed Miliband clashed over the problems. But David Cameron hit back saying Labour was using the NHS as a "political football".
During the first Prime Minister's Questions of 2015, the Labour leader said the prime minister had "betrayed" patients. The row surfaced as a number of trusts have declared major incidents in recent days, with cases emerging of patients being treated in corridors and ambulances queuing outside A&E.
"The pressures on A&E are not just happening on your watch but are a direct result of the decisions you have taken," he told Mr Cameron in the House of Commons. Mr Miliband told the prime minister in the House of Commons: "The pressures on A&E are not just happening on your watch, but are a direct result of the decisions you have taken."
He went on to cite steps such as the closure of walk-in centres, cuts to social care and the "damaging" reorganisation that took place in the early years of this Parliament. "He asked people to trust him on the NHS and he has betrayed that trust."
Mr Miliband went on to cite steps such as the closure of walk-in centres, cuts to social care and the "damaging" reorganisation that took place in the early years of this Parliament.
Earlier shadow health secretary Andy Burnham had called for an urgent summit on how to alleviate pressure on A&E services in English hospitals.Earlier shadow health secretary Andy Burnham had called for an urgent summit on how to alleviate pressure on A&E services in English hospitals.
He said that should involve both the NHS and local government, which controls social care.
But Mr Cameron hit back, saying the government had increased spending on the NHS, which had led to more doctors and nurses on wards.But Mr Cameron hit back, saying the government had increased spending on the NHS, which had led to more doctors and nurses on wards.
He said it was interesting that Labour had "no solutions to put forward".He said it was interesting that Labour had "no solutions to put forward".
"That only says to me while we are interested in improving the NHS, you simply want to use it as a political football," he added."That only says to me while we are interested in improving the NHS, you simply want to use it as a political football," he added.
The debate happened just a day after figures were released in England showing waiting times had dropped to their worst level for a decade over the past three months. He also pointed out waiting times were even worse in Labour-controlled Wales.
Just 92.6% of patients were seen in four hours from October to December - below the 95% target. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are also missing their targets. The debate happened just a day after figures were released by NHS England showing that the target four-hour waiting time target had been missed during the October to December quarter.
The pressures have become so great that a number of trusts have had to declare major incidents in recent days. Just 92.6% of patients were seen in four hours - below the 95% target. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are also missing their targets.
The status triggers the implementation of extra measures, including calling in off-rota staff and cancelling non-emergency care such as routine operations.
Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge is the latest big hospital to declare a major incident.Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge is the latest big hospital to declare a major incident.
Such a move triggers the implementation of extra measures, including calling in off-rota staff and cancelling non-emergency care such as routine operations.
Hospitals currently most affected
Dr Keith McNeil, chief executive of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said the hospital had been under "extreme pressure" since New Year's Eve.Dr Keith McNeil, chief executive of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said the hospital had been under "extreme pressure" since New Year's Eve.
"We have declared a major incident... due to unprecedented levels of demand on our services, with especially high numbers of frail, elderly patients, combined with a record level of patients whose medical care is finished and whose discharge is delayed.""We have declared a major incident... due to unprecedented levels of demand on our services, with especially high numbers of frail, elderly patients, combined with a record level of patients whose medical care is finished and whose discharge is delayed."
Hospitals in Staffordshire, Gloucestershire, Cambridgeshire, London and Surrey are also among those affected.
Hospitals currently most affected
Janet Morrison, chief executive of Independent Age, a charity that represents older people, said the difficulties in A&E reflected "deepening problems in our whole health and care system".
"Once in hospital, there are too few support services available for them [older people] to be quickly and safely discharged.
"As a result, the entire system is in danger of becoming blocked at times of increased demand, such as we are seeing now."
Have you recently attended your local A&E department? What was your experience? Are you an NHS employee? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with any information. Please leave a telephone number if you are willing to be contacted by a BBC journalist.Have you recently attended your local A&E department? What was your experience? Are you an NHS employee? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with any information. Please leave a telephone number if you are willing to be contacted by a BBC journalist.
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