Ambulance delays down to nine-year NHS funding squeeze

Commenting on new research from Labour, which shows that in the past three years almost 1.5 million patients have been delayed in the back of ambulances before being admitted to hospital, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said:

“Ambulances queuing outside A&E departments have become a common and distressing sight. It’s frustrating for crews who need to be on their way to the next emergency call and worrying for patients waiting to be seen.

“Understaffing, bed shortages and a failure to get a grip on social care problems are behind these delays, which then ripple out across entire hospitals.

“This is what nine years of an NHS squeeze on resources does. It’s time for the health service to be treated much better.”

Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in both the public and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Liz Chinchen T: 0207 121 5463 M: 07778 158175 E: l.chinchen@unison.co.uk
Anthony Barnes T: 0207 121 5255 M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk