Prof Derek Bell, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and Chair of Acute Medicine, Imperial College, London, said,
“We have extensive experience of working within the NHS in Scotland and England and of comparing both national and international trends in unscheduled care. Through this work, I can confirm that time trends between England and Scotland show similar levels of performance in winter. Making individual week to week comparisons between countries, cities or hospitals is unhelpful in the absence of studying trends and patterns. Similarly, direct comparisons between waiting times for receipt of care is unhelpful, particularly when the methods for recording and calculating long waiting times, those in excess of 4 hours, is different . Rather than criticising NHS staff or hospitals we must recognise this is a whole system issue and as such focus on patients and improving their journey through the health and social care systems rather than politics. Re-energising the system with a collaborative approach involving all of the related Royal Colleges and medical organisations is now necessary for unscheduled care throughout the whole of the UK.”
ENDS
Contact: Graeme McAlister on 0131-247-3693 or 07733-263453
Notes to Editors
The RCPE is an independent standard-setting body and professional membership organisation. Our aim is to improve and maintain the quality of patient care.
We help qualified doctors to pursue their careers in specialist (internal) medicine through medical examinations, education and training. We also provide resources and information to support and facilitate professional development for physicians throughout their careers.
The RCPE helps to develop standards of medical care and training and to influence health policy. We ensure that the views and practical clinical experiences of our membership are taken into account by health policymakers throughout the UK.
The RCPE has a strong UK and international presence with over 12,000 Fellows and Members.
