09/01/2015

British Red Cross Drafted In To Help With A&E Crisis

The British Red Cross are being called in to help the NHS deal with the Accident & Emergency crisis.

Figures released this week showed the NHS missed its A&E waiting time target, its worst performance in 10 years.

Volunteers from the relief charity are helping to transport patients.

Labour leader Ed Miliband said: "The Tories want to blame the patients – but the NHS is in crisis because of decisions made by David Cameron.

"His government has made it harder for families to see a GP while cuts in social care have left vulnerable and elderly people at risk.

"Clearing up this mess will require the long-term investment only Labour is prepared to make: 8,000 extra GPs, 5,000 more homecare workers, 3,000 more midwives and 20,000 additional nurses.

"But the scale of the current crisis also demands immediate action."

(CD/IT)




Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

26 March 2007
'Postcode lottery' remains in NHS dental care
There are "huge regional variations" in NHS dental care in England, consumer organisation Which? has warned in new research. The survey of 466 dentistry practices - which comes a year after the start of new NHS dentists' contract in England - found that just over a third (36%) are taking on any new NHS patients.
24 March 2011
Patients Getting Improved NHS Care
A round-up of NHS quality and financial performance between October and December 2010 has been published by the Department of Health today.
14 October 2005
Government announces NHS claims Bill
The government has unveiled plans to introduce a faster system to deal with NHS complaints, without having to go to court. Under the NHS Redress Bill, patients will no longer have to go to court to get compensation, care, apologies or investigation if something goes wrong with their NHS treatment.
04 January 2005
Five further health trusts make foundation grade
Following approval by the independent regulatory body, five Trusts have been granted Foundation Trust status.
23 September 2004
Lib Dems pledge to reduce obesity of 'microwave generation'
New health plans pledging to help end the 'microwave generation' of obese and unhealthy children have been debated at the Liberal Democrat Conference today. Under the plans children will be given the opportunity to get into healthy habits at a young age.