12 hour waits in A&E surge by 25% to worst September on record as Lib Dems call on Govt to protect NHS against winter “cliff edge”

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Responding to NHS data published today which reveals that the number of 12-hour waits in A&E surged by nearly 10,000 last month, an increase of 25% on August and the worst September on record, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Helen Morgan said:

“Our NHS is hurtling toward a cliff edge. Behind these statistics are thousands of vulnerable people waiting many hours, sometimes days, in pain and discomfort. Patients deserve better.

"The Government must pull its head out of the sand. Without urgent action we could face the worst winter in NHS history. The Liberal Democrats are calling for an immediate emergency package to protect the NHS this winter, with extra social care places to free up beds, a qualified clinician in every A&E waiting room to identify patients at risk, and a recruitment drive for out-of-hours GPs.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

Data can be found here