Warning as Nov was worst month ever

NHS BRACED FOR ‘BLEAKEST WINTER YET’ OVER A&E WAITS

A&E departments are facing their biggest winter crisis as figures show more people than ever are waiting longer to be seen.

Just 87.6% of patients were admitted to a bed in less than four hours last month, way short of the 95% target.

The waits are the worst ever for November. Health experts blamed Tory cuts for the scandal. NHS Confederation chief executive Niall Dickson said: “We could be heading for one of the bleakest winters yet. The cold, hard reality is that the NHS cannot keep pace with demand. Hospitals are now having operate at unsafe levels.”

Society for Acute Medicine president Dr Nick Scriven added: “After decades of bed reductions GRIM OUTLOOK Dr Scriven to there are simply not enough beds available to meet current demand.” The alarming figures came in the first NHS winter update.

An NHS spokesman said: “Staff continue to work hard to deal with increased demand.”