System struggling to cope, says RCN

Published: 14 March 2013

The Royal College of Nursing has said the results of a Monitor report on A&E waiting times are unsettling.

It shows the number of foundation trusts failing to meet the four-hour A&E waiting time target has doubled since last year.

Dr Peter Carter, RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, said: “This report is an unsettling but unsurprising insight into a system which is struggling to cope with fewer resources and rising demand, and it is patients who are suffering as a result.

“We know from our own research and from our members that the system is running at capacity, and cannot handle any extra demand such as winter viruses.”

He added: “This is also evidence of a system which is fragmented and failing to work together. The report mentions the delays caused by problems accessing community services and this shows the knock-on effects cuts to community services can have on the rest of the system.”