Government must fix NHS issues they made

REGARDING the latest NHS performance statistics (released December 13), which shows that in November, England had the highest ever number of four-hour trolley waits and a record low percentage of attendances being seen four hours or less.

Day one of the new government and another set of stark NHS performance figures.

They are not inheriting a problem, they created this problem and the responsibility ultimately lies with them to fix it.

What we are seeing is a health service that is on a downward spiral as this month we see yet another set of shambolic figures. The highest ever number of four-hour trolley waits, 12-hour trolley are the highest ever recorded for that month, record low number of A&E attendees being seen within four hours – the list goes on.

These pressures are not confined to hospitals as GP practices are now delivering the highest number of appointments on record and the average GP waiting times exceeded two weeks for the first time this year.

We need an NHS that works for its staff. This includes addressing the recruitment and retention crisis which is significantly impacting care and importantly, solving the pension crisis with immediate and fundamental taxation reform.

The NHS must be rescued from the brink and this must begin today.

The public voted for this government and they deserve a government that will deliver a health service that is fit for purpose. Dr Chaand Nagpaul

British Medical Association council chair