Busiest summer ever for NHS but A&Es see record numbers within four hours

More patients than ever before were seen within four hours in A&E this summer, despite record demand on the NHS.

The NHS faced the busiest summer in its history this year, with A&E attendances in June, July and August topping 7.2m (7,268,445), the highest ever total for the summer period, and more than 240,000 more attendances than the same period last year (7,027,384). It came as the UK experienced five heatwaves between May and August.

Despite this record demand, NHS staff treated, admitted, or discharged the highest ever number of A&E patients within four hours (5,462,182) over this period.

This follows an increase in patient satisfaction with A&E services recorded last year.

There were also a record number of ambulance call outs this summer (2,455,833 June-August) – up more than 130,000 than in the same period last year (2,322,891).

While over 100,000 more 111 calls were answered in June and July this year (3,051,137) compared with the same months last year (2,949,390).

Figures published today also show a record number of people were seen in July following an urgent suspected cancer referral (308,200).

All three key cancer waiting time measures also showed an improvement in July compared with the previous month.

The waiting list increased by just under 56,000 (55,961) to 7.3 million in July. Of those, 65.4% were waiting up to 18 weeks.

June and July also saw more than 5 million people (5,374,603) get a vital diagnostic test or check on the NHS, the highest number in history over those months.

Despite demand having been significantly higher than expected, the NHS remains on track to deliver its elective treatment targets in 2026/27.

The figures come as the government today announced a £1.5 billion investment to help NHS hospitals withstand year-round pressure. Funding for more than 950 projects will make NHS hospitals safer, more resilient and better equipped to care for patients.

This includes over £200 million for 10 major projects such as new operating theatres, children’s wards and improved maternity and mental health facilities, and £1.3 billion for maintenance, safety and resilience projects across the NHS estate.

The government has also launched a heat taskforce, which will examine the impact of extreme heat on vulnerable groups and ensure planning for summer is on the same footing as planning for winter pressures.

NHS National Medical Director Frankie Swords said: “Despite a scorching summer which has tested the NHS like never before and seen demand rocket to record levels, staff have risen to the challenge magnificently to deliver for patients.

“While the NHS has been preparing for the coming winter earlier than ever before and resilience testing around winter plans has already begun, we have never gone into winter on the back of such a heavy summer, but today’s figures show the NHS is there when patients need it and we are improving care in vital life-saving areas for patients and their families.”

Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care said: “This has been the most demanding summer on record for our A&E and ambulance staff, with heavy pressure on our NHS and winter still to come.

“I want to pay tribute to the incredible dedication of NHS staff. Despite unprecedented demand, they managed to see a record number of patients within four hours in A&E over the summer.

“With the support of this Government, the NHS has worked hard to strengthen its ability to respond to these challenges, but the reality is that extreme demand is no longer confined to winter. That’s why we’re backing the NHS with record investment and rolling out plans to support services through both summer and winter pressure.”

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.