Commenting on the latest NHS England performance data published today (Thursday), UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said:
“On almost every measure, people are having to wait longer for an ambulance, to be seen in A&E and to be booked in for operations. That’s extremely tough on patients and distressing for staff unable to provide the care they’d like.
“With 100,000 vacancies across the NHS, health employees are regularly doing the work of several colleagues. That’s left many exhausted, stressed out and totally demoralised.
“Unless the government can hold on to existing staff at a faster rate than new recruits are joining, the future looks bleak. That means introducing an emergency retention package, kicking off with a pay rise to beat the spiralling cost of living.”