Responding to the latest NHS England data published today (Thursday) showing A&E waiting times are the worst ever, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said:
“Patients left in agony on trolleys for hours and poorly visitors waiting for hours in A&E, forced to sit on floors because of a lack of chairs, has become the new normal.
“Years of underfunding and an endless staffing crisis show the Conservatives are simply not fit to run our NHS.
“These are the worst ever A&E figures yet the winter has barely begun. It’s a shocking state of affairs and should be of huge concern to every one of us.
“The pressure on hospitals is going through the roof because of the failure to tackle the social care mess. The next government must put the health of the nation and the NHS as its top priorities.”
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:
Anthony Barnes T: 0207 121 5255 M: 07834 864794E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen T: 0207 121 5463 M: 07778 158175 E: l.chinchen@unison.co.uk