Hospitals say it’s ‘impossible to meet’ safe-care targets
NHS hospital trusts have said they will find it “impossible to deliver” legal standards of care this year.
NHS Providers, which represents trusts, said lack of staff, beds and funds means the NHS is structurally unable to meet waiting times and safe-care targets.
It comes after A&Es recorded their worst ever performance after “the longest funding squeeze in the history of the health service”. Last year, the NHS missed all its key targets for the first time ever, covering A&E, ambulances, planned operations and cancer waiting times. The Government has now set strict requirements to get standards back up. NHS Providers CEO Chris Hopson said: “Analysis shows the levels of performance expected and savings demanded are beyond reach.”