Thousands forced to wait outside swamped hospitals as cold spell hits
Heaving A&E departments are forcing thousands of patients to wait for hours in ambulances outside hospitals as freezing conditions hit … Read more
Quality of care
NHS spends millions on private companies that block GP referrals, investigation finds
The NHS is spending millions on private companies that stop GPs referring patients to hospitals, an investigation has revealed. Controversial “referral management … Read more
Holiday rush threatens to overwhelm Worcestershire Royal Hospital’s A and E department
A WOMAN spent more than 24 hours on a trolley at Worcestershire Royal Hospital after being admitted in the early … Read more
Worcestershire nurse warns of ‘A&E chaos’ as units shut
The closure of several minor injury units (MIU) in Worcestershire has increased “chaos” at Accident and Emergency departments, a nurse … Read more
Third of councils face social care funding cut after ‘misleading’ government changes, Andy Burnham says
A third of councils in England are facing cuts in Government funding and may have to slash spending on social … Read more
Poorly children diverted as Worcestershire ward shuts
Poorly children had to be diverted to hospitals dozens of miles away after a children’s ward became full. The situation … Read more
How hospital activity and funding in England have changed over time – The King’s Fund
In recent years, NHS spending has been protected while other budgets such as welfare, local government and the police have … Read more
Commissioners may make ‘controversial’ cuts to break even
Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group is heading for a £15m deficit in 2016-17 unless it makes “controversial decisions” to cut … Read more
The social care crisis is pulling NHS trusts further underwater
The government’s refusal to find any new money for social care will inflict significant and lasting damage on the NHS … Read more
Emergency department to close as part of £245m savings plan
An accident and emergency department will close in Staffordshire along with 100 community hospital beds, according to the Staffordshire and … Read more