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NHS Northern Ireland – SOS meltdown While the NHS in England, Scotland, and Wales has been under sustained pressure in recent years following the COVID-19 pandemic, underfunding, soaring waiting lists, and GP appointment chaos, the situation in Northern Ireland (NI) is even worse. Record-breaking waiting lists and emergency department times – the worst across the UK, healthcare staff at breaking point and leaving the region, GP practices closing due to financial issues, and a scheduled junior doctors' strike this week have seen the situation hit crisis point. #northernireland #nhs #healthpolicy #healthcare #crisismanagement WHO Regional Office for Europe World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA)

Staffing issues remain a top concern across the NHS, with The Guardian reporting that more than £10 billion is being spent to hire temporary frontline workers. Clinical teams are under an enormous amount of strain as we clear the elective backlog with greater needs on the system than ever, and it is vital that we do not just plug gaps in care but find ways to improve the working lives of clinicians and for hospitals to deliver care more efficiently with existing staff. Initial data from the symptom-based pathway being run on Bleepa showed encouraging results relating to greater staff efficiency, with a 69% reduction in patient wait times vs the NHS 18 week referral to treatment target without the need for additional clinical staff. Streamlining patient pathways with communication and referral tools like Bleepa can improve outcomes for patients and clinicians alike. In an independent report of Bleepa at the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, 76% of staff surveyed identified time savings through using Bleepa compared to previous referral methods, and 88% said Bleepa was easy to use. “You’ve got all the information at your fingertips on the same system. I would recommend Bleepa, I think it’s been a really good addition […] it’s a really easy system to use, and it has certainly helped in smoothing out and making patient care as holistic as possible.” Dr Anna Haley, Respiratory Registrar, The Royal Oldham Hospital #communitydiagnosticcentres #nhs #digitalhealth #digitalhealthinnovation #fdbk https://lnkd.in/eWT7p_Yp

This really puts it all in to context. The NHS can’t cope with the level of demand it’s facing and it needs more doctors and nurses. The long term staffing plan aims to increase the workforce by 1m healthcare workers over the next 15 years but the NHS can’t wait that long and risk spiralling further. International recruitment is the only way to recruit quickly, at scale and without the cost of locums 💙

It won’t be quick, but we are ready to work with the new government to ‘fix’ broken healthcare system. This is the response from The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) as the new Labour government announces an ‘independent investigation’ into NHS performance. 🌐 Read the full story with all the links including to graphs and data here: tinyurl.com/RCEMNews117 In his first speech as Health and Social Care Secretary on Saturday (6 July 2024), Wes Streeting described the NHS as “broken” and has since set his aim of boosting economic growth from within the sector and improving access to primary care such as GPs. RCEM has today (Thursday 11 July 2024) pledged its support to the new government’s aim of ‘fixing’ the NHS but have warned that “efforts must be targeted to where they are most needed.” New data released by NHS England today (Thursday 11 July 2024), shows the scale of the task ahead, with almost one in 10 people waiting 12 hours or longer in A&Es in June. The data also shows in this period hospitals were 93.1% full, far above the level considered “safe” (85%). Difficulties discharging people due to a lack of appropriate social care options also meant a daily average of 21,976 people remained in hospital despite being well enough to go home. The effects of this backlog can also be seen in the ambulance service. Yesterday (July 10 2024), the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) estimated that more than 32,000 people may have come to harm due to extended ambulance handover delays in May 2024 alone. Dr Ian Higginson, Vice President of RCEM said: “The Health Secretary was right, the NHS is broken, and the effects are seen nowhere more starkly than in Emergency Departments. RCEM has been clearly articulating the real picture for years, and it is refreshing to see a pragmatic and honest assessment of where we are and the scale of the challenge. “We are ready to work with the new government and we can help provide solutions. Those working on the front line, and those with expertise in the field, understand what is needed to restore NHS performance and the public’s trust in the health care system. “For this reason, we welcome today’s announcement for an independent review of NHS performance, it is a step forward for transparency and we will contribute in any way we can. “The Health Secretary has pledged to fix ‘the front door’ – improving access to GPs, and any improvements in community-based care is positive. “However, it is only part of the answer to improving patient care as a whole. The Emergency Care system continues to be under huge pressure as is clearly evidenced by the latest performance data. To make a significant improvement bed capacity needs to increase, and the beds that we do have need to be used more effectively. People need to be able to leave hospital as soon as they are well enough and... (continued) 🌐 Read the full story with all the links including to graphs and data here: tinyurl.com/RCEMNews117

Yet another NHS strike. When the country is dealing with severe heat health warnings! While the healthcare staff want better recognition & pay to help with work-life satisfaction, NHS is struggling to maintain operations and provide continued patient care. All the rescheduled appointments and delayed treatments affect patient care. What can be done? An open dialogue to find a middle ground is the way ahead. #NHS #Healthcare #Strikeaction #patientcare #HealthcareSolutions https://lnkd.in/gz5RwhgB

🚑 What are Private Ambulances?🚑 Private ambulances in the UK are vehicles operated by independent companies or organisations, distinct from those run by the National Health Service (NHS). These ambulances provide a range of services, including patient transportation, medical assistance at events, and support for private healthcare facilities. Private ambulance companies often work alongside the NHS to alleviate pressure on emergency services, particularly during peak times or when additional resources are required. They may be contracted by hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, or individuals seeking private medical transportation. Private ambulance services typically employ trained paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and other healthcare professionals to provide medical care during transportation. They should be registered and adhere to regulations set by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to ensure high standards of safety and care. It is a legal requirement for ambulance services to be registered in England. While private ambulances offer flexibility and supplementary support to the public healthcare system, they are usually utilised for non-emergency situations or for patients requiring transportation between healthcare facilities. #privateambulance #privatehealthcare #NHS #health #wellbeing #CQC

Increasing delays and the stress of getting medical help This week I want to look into the pressures on the NHS 111 service, compounding to the problems faced by patients trying to get medical help. This recent article shows a staggering amount of calls being dropped due to the increasing wait times. #nhs #accessingcare #patients #healthcare https://lnkd.in/euHZGEkt

👨⚕️Understanding NHS Waiting Times: Challenges and Solutions The NHS faces persistent challenges, particularly in managing waiting times for treatments and consultations. 👩⚕️ Current State of NHS Waiting Times As of May 2024, NHS waiting times have reached record highs, with approximately 7.47 million people waiting to start routine hospital treatment. This is the highest number since records began in 2007. The NHS Constitution aims for 92% of people waiting for elective treatment to be seen within 18 weeks, but this standard has not been met since September 2015. 🏥 Factors Contributing to Long Waiting Times * Increased Demand: A growing and aging population increases the demand for healthcare services. * Staff Shortages: Significant shortages of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals limit the capacity for timely care. * Funding Constraints: Financial pressures restrict resources for expanding services and infrastructure. * COVID-19 Impact: The pandemic caused many non-urgent treatments to be postponed, creating a backlog. 💉 Efforts to Reduce Waiting Times * Efficiency Improvements: Streamlining processes, Better use of clinics and theatres, better patient management, and maximising each appointment, reducing repetition. * Increased Funding: The government has pledged additional funding for new facilities and staff. * Community Care: Expanding community care services to reduce the burden on hospitals. 🚑 NHS waiting times remain a significant challenge. By addressing the root causes, improving efficiency and implementing innovative solutions, the NHS can provide timely and effective care to all patients. 💊 Arevna Insourcing is one such solution, maximising existing resources, off peak usage of premises and equipment. Cost efficiency, Strong Clinical Governance & Quality Control, will all lead to an increase in Patient care and safety. #nhs #nhswaiting #RTT #HealthInnovation #NHSimprovement #nhsleadership #nhsstaff #nhscrisis

"Healthcare System Creaking at the Seams" As we reflect on the state of the NHS when Covid-19 struck, it's evident that the system was struggling. Staffing concerns were rampant, with high nursing vacancy rates exacerbating the situation. Illness and shielding added to the pressure, leaving the NHS in a vulnerable position when it needed to be at its strongest. Research indicates that over half of surveyed health staff confirmed patients often did not receive the care they needed due to these strains. The indirect harm was significant too. Elective care procedures were suspended, heart patients avoided hospitals, and missed cancer diagnoses became tragic realities. The mental health of both youngsters and adults deteriorated markedly. This experience underscores the critical need for a resilient and well-resourced healthcare system. Let's build on these lessons to ensure our NHS is never "creaking at the seams" again. #Healthcare #NHSCrisis #Covid19Impact

The NHS in England is facing a critical challenge, with projected staff shortages potentially exceeding 570,000 by 2036. This alarming forecast highlights the urgent need for a massive increase in homegrown medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and therapists. Without immediate and substantial action, the quality of patient care and the overall healthcare system's efficiency are at serious risk. The time to invest in healthcare education and recruitment is now, for the wellbeing of current and future generations. 🚑 Join the conversation and advocate for change! DM us for more info or to make an appointment, and let's work together to support a robust and sustainable NHS. The health of our nation depends on it. Article Source: https://lnkd.in/eUzdzeM9 #NHSStaffShortages #HealthcareCrisis #MedicalRecruitment #SaveOurNHS #FutureOfHealthcare #InvestInHealth #NursingShortage #DoctorDeficit #HealthcareHeroes #SupportNHSStaff #HealthcareReform