Coronavirus 'anti-vaxxer' clashes with Whale over boosters

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Patient lives are being put in jeopardy due to record ambulance delays, which mean it can take almost an hour to get assistance in the case of a heart attack. The waiting list has now hit a record high, with the latest data indicating the worst A&E performance on record. Thousands of patients in need of important hospital procedures, including hip replacements, knee replacements, gallbladder removals and hernia operations, have been left waiting more than two years – an increase of 28 percent on the previous month.

One in 10 people in England is now on an NHS waiting list, according to the latest data.

The health service has been under significant pressure amid the Covid pandemic and as of September more than 5.8 million people were waiting for care.

This figure represents a rise of more than 100,000 in a single month and more than one million more in a year.

Of those 12,500 were waiting for more than two years for treatment, according to the NHS England data.

There are a significant number of patients waiting for operations – and this figure is continuing to rise.

More than 300,000 have been waiting at least 12 months, the data revealed.

The number of NHS patients waiting at least a year for surgery and other planned treatment rose to 300,566 in September which is more than double the 139,545 a year before.

There were 12,491 people waiting at least two years for operations, which is a rise of 28 percent in a month.

The figures, which were a result of a survey by the NHS Confederation which represents organisations across the health sector, found nine out of 10 leaders believe demands on the service were “unsustainable”.

Emergency 999 calls recorded their busiest month ever in October – at more than one million calls.

The data revealed the worst accident and emergency performance on record, with just 73.9 percent of patients being seen in four hours.

This is woefully short of the health service’s target of 95 percent.

Major A&Es treated more than 1.4 million people in October which is the highest ever figure for that month and the third-highest of all time.

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Response times for ambulances also deteriorated significantly.

The average wait time for patients in a life-threatening condition, such as a cardiac attack, increased by more than two minutes than the same month in 2019.

The new response time was reported as 9.20 minutes.

Anyone classed as a category two emergency, including exhibiting signs of a stroke or heart attack, patients were left waiting 54 minutes – compared to 24 minutes in October 2019.

The latest data came as NHS leaders claimed health services have reached a “breaking point”.

In the survey of 451 NHS leaders in England, it was found the health service is at a “tipping point”, with 88 percent of leaders in England, Wales and Northern Ireland claiming demands are unsustainable.

These leaders (87 percent) also believe a lack of staffing will put patient safety and care at risk.

Matthew Taylor, the chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: “Almost every healthcare leader we’ve spoken to is warning that the NHS is under unsustainable pressure, and they are worried the situation will worsen, as we head into deep midwinter unless action is taken.

“They are also sounding alarm bells over risks to patient safety if their services become overwhelmed, on top of a severe workforce crisis.

“The health and social care secretary says the NHS is not under unsustainable pressure, but NHS leaders are clear that we have reached a tipping point.

“Frontline providers across all parts of the NHS are under intolerable pressure.”

Professor Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, has urged anyone needing help to use 111 online as a first port of call.

He said: “With the highest number of 999 calls ever answered for a single month, the busiest October on record for major A&E and the rollout of boosters as part of the successful NHS vaccination programme, there is no doubt pressure on the health service remains incredibly high.

“But despite high demand, NHS staff are going above and beyond to see more patients and deliver millions more tests, checks, treatments and operations.

“Increasing numbers are coming forward for treatment and this is expected to go up, but it remains really important people do not delay seeking help from the NHS if they feel unwell.

“Anyone needing help should come forward through 111 online so that staff can help you with the best option for your care, and it is as important as ever to get your lifesaving Covid and flu jab, to protect you this winter.”

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