UNISON, the UK’s largest union, today warned that a rise in A and E waiting times will not only worsen, but will spread across the health service as the effect of Tory cuts and mismanagement of the NHS hits hard
A major survey of more than 46,000 patients by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has found that a third spend more than 4 hours in A and E. In 2004 the figure was 23%. Waiting times to see a nurse or a doctor have also risen.
Only yesterday, the Chancellor was on his feet in the House of Commons claiming that the government was reducing expenditure on public services at the same time as delivering improvements. He cited waiting times in the NHS as an example of such improvements. This survey shows his claims need to be taken with a huge bucket of salt.
All ambulance trusts have to make around £500 million worth of cuts over the next five years. The NHS as a whole has to deliver £20 billion worth of efficiency savings in the lifetime of this parliament.
Christina McAnea, UNISON head of health, said:
“This survey shows that Tory claims that they are protecting our health service are worthless. Ask any nurse, healthcare assistant or midwife, they know what is standing in the way of delivering the best possible care to patients; Tory cuts.
“All across the country nurses and health workers are losing their jobs, wards are closing and now we know that A & E waiting times are rising – this is deeply worrying. It means that patients are suffering. Meanwhile, billions are being wasted on a chaotic and deeply unpopular top down re-organisation of our health service. This money should be spent on caring for patients.
“The government needs to start listening to the real health experts – health workers – and take action to protect the NHS before it is too late. This rise in A & E waiting times is just the tip of the iceberg.”
