Twelve-hour trolley waits at Scarborough Hospital "very high"
The number of people waiting on trolleys for more than 12 hours at a North Yorkshire hospital has been described as "absolutely appalling" by the boss of one NHS trust.A report has revealed 1,057 patients waited on trolleys for more than 12 hours at Scarborough Hospital in December, during an '"incredibly tough" winter period.Simon Morritt, the chief executive of the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, praised hospital staff for "working tremendously hard to provide safe care".It comes after the planned opening of Scarborough Hospital's new £47m urgent and emergency care centre (UECC) in November was delayed until spring this year, due to a malfunctioning boiler.
Alternative pathways
Speaking at an NHS Trust board meeting this week, Mr Morritt said it was "impossible to ignore the increased activity coming through the doors of our emergency departments"."The usual increase in flu cases and other seasonal viruses arrived earlier than last year, adding to the pressures," he said.The report, presented to the board on Wednesday, acknowledged the number of 12 hour-plus trolley waits last month was "very high".Simon Barkley, chair of the York and Scarborough NHS Trust, described the number of people waiting on trolleys for more than 12 hours as "absolutely appalling".He noted, however, that the figures showed a 10% improvement compared to a year ago.
Figures released by NHS England confirmed 2024 was the busiest year ever for emergency departments and ambulance services in England, while December saw the highest number of ambulance incidents recorded in a single month.Covid, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Norovirus have impacted hospital admissions across the region - and, more widely, across England.Nationally, the number of patients in hospital with Norovirus was up by 50% compared with the same period last year, and the number of children in hospital with RSV was up by 47%.To help "manage and maintain flow" at the hospital, Mr Morritt said the Trust had been "focusing on discharge... ensuring discharge planning starts as early as possible following an admission".He added: "We are also supporting teams to optimise alternative pathways, such as the virtual wards, the Urgent Treatment Centre, and the assessment areas - to make sure that we only admit patients if we absolutely must.""In addition, we are continuing to encourage staff to have their flu and Covid vaccinations," he concluded.
Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
42 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Domestic abuse is ‘public health emergency', experts say after critical NHS report
Domestic abuse is a public health emergency, experts have claimed, after a report concluded that the NHS is failing victims by not training staff to spot and respond to the signs of domestic violence. About one in four people (21.6%) in England and Wales aged 16 years and over have experienced domestic abuse, affecting 12.6 million people, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics. Analysis shows that the NHS has more contact with victims and perpetrators than any other public service. But new research by the charity Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse (Stada) claims the health service is missing vital opportunities to save lives. It examined all the official reviews of domestic abuse-related homicides and suicides published in 2024 and found that about 90% cited safeguarding failings by the NHS. Lack of domestic abuse training was the most frequent criticism identified. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance advises mandatory training for frontline NHS staff in identifying and properly caring for domestic abuse victims. But Stada's analysis found that such training was 'sporadic and inconsistent'. The report also highlights repeated failures by the NHS to record risks, share information and get victims help from other specialists such as alcohol and mental health services, and independent domestic violence advisers. The findings follow a separate study published in the Lancet Regional Health Europe, which calculated that 26% of all women who died by suicide, and were known to secondary mental health services, had been a victim of domestic violence. The government is due to publish its strategy this summer on how to meet its pledge to halve violence against women and girls by 2034. But without urgent action, this ambition will not be achieved, the Stada report concludes. The NHS should fund mandatory, standardised domestic abuse training for frontline health professionals and specialist support such as mental health domestic violence advisers, the study recommends. Data recording and information sharing should also be improved. Cherryl Henry-Leach, the chief executive of Stada, said: 'We call on the government to recognise domestic abuse as a public health issue. 'Treating [domestic abuse] solely as a criminal justice issue costs lives. The NHS has more contact with victims and perpetrators than any other public service, making it uniquely positioned to address this crisis.' Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Tim Woodhouse, a suicide prevention specialist and author of the Churchill Fellowship report on suicide and domestic violence, said: 'Domestic abuse is a public health emergency. The level of physical and mental pain imposed on victims (and their children) by perpetrators is immense and we know that, for many, that mental torture becomes too great and they end up taking their own life. 'I've calculated that 1,800 people a year could be dying in domestic abuse-related suicides every year. This is a tragically high waste of life, and a national scandal.' Andrea Simon, the director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said: 'Healthcare workers are often the first, and only, point of contact for victims of abuse and it is essential they are equipped to identify, signpost and safeguard victims who need support. As this report shows, the consequences of inaction can be serious harm, including death. It's time the government took action on repeated recommendations in domestic homicide reviews and ensured all health professionals receive comprehensive training, including on the risk posed by domestic abuse-related suicides.' Prof Kamila Hawthorne, the chair of the Royal College of GPs, said given the trusted relationships GPs have with patients, 'it is concerning to hear that opportunities to help victims might be being missed'. More training would be welcomed and valuable, she added, 'as long as these are appropriately funded, take into consideration the existing training that GPs receive on safeguarding, and the workload pressures we face daily'. An NHS spokesperson said: 'All NHS staff are required to complete safeguarding training on domestic violence and abuse to give them the skills and knowledge they need to support victims and survivors, and this training is currently being updated.' A government spokesperson said: 'We remain resolute in our mission to tackle domestic abuse and put a system in place that protects victims, supports their journey to justice and holds perpetrators to account. 'Healthcare professionals are often the first lifeline for domestic abuse victims – playing a vital role in supporting them to overcome trauma and rebuild their lives – and we have prioritised funding to deliver an additional 345,000 NHS talking therapies interventions to ensure survivors get the support they need. 'Through our plan for change, we are developing a coordinated approach across government, underpinned by a new strategy to be published later this year, to prevent domestic abuse and protect victims.' In the UK, call the national domestic abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247, or visit the Men's Advice Line or Women's Aid. In the US, the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). In Australia, the national family violence counselling service is on 1800 737 732. Other international helplines may be found via
Edinburgh Reporter
an hour ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
Nikki is guest of honour at Pretty Muddy
At Cancer Research UK's Race For Life on Sunday the guest of honour, Nikki Milligan sent everyone on their way. She attended along with her partner Jason McFarlane and their daughters Zoe, aged six, and Abbie who is one year old. Nikki sounded the starter horn to start all the 1,500 participants off on the muddy race round the obstacle course in The Meadows. The race raised around £160,000 for cancer research. Nikki picked up a medal after completing the 5K Pretty Muddy with her childhood friend Claire Wright. Afterwards she said: 'I am incredibly grateful to be here to raise my two girls. 'It's hard to put in to words exactly how it feels to be healthy and surrounded by love. This summer will mark three years of me being in remission from cancer. I will forever be thankful to my family for their unwavering support and to the NHS for getting me better. 'I'm proud to be able to help others. I want to support research for people going through cancer right now and to help find better treatments for my daughters' generation.' Nikki recalls vividly the uncertainty she felt on January 13 2022 when doctors at the Western General Hospital told her she had Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. She had first contacted her GP in December the year before after a lump had appeared near her collar bone and she had suffered symptoms including night sweats. She had an x-ray after blood tests indicated there may be an issue and only hours after the x-ray the GP called her. Nikki said: 'I thought the x-ray results would take around 10 days to come so when my GP called me back the same day I knew the news wouldn't be good. 'They'd found a tumour on my neck and my chest. I had a biopsy on Christmas eve 2021. My daughter was only three at the time and going through Christmas waiting for those final January results was hard.' Nikki lost her hair to the side effects of treatment. She had six months of chemotherapy in total including two stays in hospital. But on August 18 2022, she completed her final session, after which it took time to build back strength. Just months later, Nikki was overjoyed to discover she was pregnant again. Her younger daughter Abbie was born on December 26 2023. Nikki said: 'I feel so lucky. After treatment for cancer, I didn't even know if I'd be able to have another child but here we are blessed with our Boxing Day baby.' Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK's spokesperson in Scotland, said: 'We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part in Pretty Muddy Edinburgh. 'No matter how cancer affects us, life is worth racing for. Sadly nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime but all of us can support the research that will beat it. We're proud that Race for Life has had such a positive impact. Every pound raised supports our life-saving work, which has helped double cancer survival in the UK over the last 50 years. 'It was a fantastic day at Pretty Muddy Edinburgh, full of emotion, courage, tears, laughter and hope as people celebrated the lives of those dear to them who have survived cancer and remembered loved ones lost to the disease. 'Now we're asking everyone who took part to return the money they're raised as soon as possible. Every donation, every pound raised will make a real difference. ' Diane Graham, a volunteer from the Cancer Research UK Edinburgh superstore at Corstorphine also completed Pretty Muddy. She took part along with CRUK superstore manager Steven Storrier who celebrated his 52nd birthday over the weekend. Steven said: 'I can think of no better way to celebrate my birthday. 'Almost every day in the superstore people share with us their reasons for supporting Cancer Research UK. I am in awe of our customers who do so much to support the charity. Pretty Muddy is a chance for me to give a little bit back.' Pretty Muddy in Edinburgh ALL PHOTOS © Lesley Martin/Lesley Martin Photography 22 June 2025 © Lesley Martin/Lesley Martin Photography 22 June 2025 Left to right Claire Wight, 31, and Nikki Milligan, 31 Left to right Zoe McFarlane, 6, dad Jason McFarlane, mum Nikki Milligan and Abbie McFarlane, one Mum of two Nikki Milligan in remission from cancer is the official starter at Cancer Research UK's Pretty Muddy Edinburgh Pretty Muddy in the Meadows Right to left Nikki Milligan in remission from cancer crosses the finish line of Pretty Muddy Edinburgh with daughter Zoe, six, and her friend Claire Wight People take part in CRUK Pretty Muddy in The Meadows, Edinburgh. ©Lesley Martin/Lesley Martin Photography Like this: Like Related
BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
'No budget' for assisted dying service, health secretary says
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said there is no budget for an assisted dying service, which MPs narrowly backed in a landmark vote on who was one of the most senior opponents of the legislation, posted a lengthy message on his Facebook page explaining why he voted against the other reasons, he said there was already a lack of access to high quality end-of-life care on top of tightened finances within the NHS, which could add to the pressure faced by dying patients. Streeting said he would "make sure that we do a good job with it for the country" if the legislation becomes law, but he worried MPs had made the wrong choice. The government remains neutral on the bill, which cleared the Commons with a majority of 23 votes on Friday and will now be scrutinised by the House of Lords. MPs were given a free vote on in favour of the bill say it will give terminally ill adults the choice on how they want to die and prevent painful deaths, but critics argue it risks people being coerced into seeking an assisted his post, Streeting quoted former Labour prime minister Gordon Brown's position that "there is no effective freedom to choose if the alternative option... is not available", referring to sufficient end-of-life care wrote: "The truth is that creating those conditions will take time and money. "Even with the savings that might come from assisted dying if people take up the service - and it feels uncomfortable talking about savings in this context to be honest - setting up this service will also take time and money that is in short supply. "There isn't a budget for this. Politics is about prioritising. It is a daily series of choices and trade-offs. I fear we've made the wrong one."The MP for Ilford North pledged to work "constructively" on technical aspects of the legislation as it progresses through Parliament and stressed he had enormous respect for the bill's impact assessment on the policy published in May provided a financial analysis of the costs and savings said that in the first six months, savings for the NHS could range from around £919,000 to £ figure included hospital care, primary and community care, hospice, medicines and other care costs that someone choosing an assisted death would not the time the system had been running for ten years, savings could range from £5.84m to £ assessment found there would be costs too. Staffing an assisted dying service could cost in excess of £10m a year within a decade, while training costs in the first six months alone could be over £11m. As peers prepare to examine the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, assisted dying campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Saturday that Lords had a duty to perform but that it should not extend to overturning the will of the Commons."Their job is to scrutinise, to ask questions, but not to oppose," she said."So yes, people who are adamantly opposed to this Bill, and they have a perfect right to oppose it, will try and stop it going through the Lords, but the Lords themselves, their duty is to make sure that law is actually created by the elected chamber, which is the House of Commons who have voted this through."Dame Esther said she was resigned to the fact her own terminal cancer would probably progress to the point she will "buzz off to Zurich" to use the Dignitas clinic before the bill becomes Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, a Paralympian and opponent of the plans, told BBC Breakfast she hoped more safeguards could be introduced in the coming months."We're getting ready for it to come to the Lords and from my personal point of view, about amending it to make it stronger," she said."We've been told it's the strongest bill in the world, but to be honest, it's not a very high bar for other legislation, so I do think there are a lot more safeguards that could be put in."Another opponent, the Conservative peer and disability rights campaigner Lord Shinkwin, said he believed the bill needed "forensic scrutiny". "The margin yesterday was so close that many MPs would appreciate the opportunity to look at this again in respect of safeguards as they relate to those who feel vulnerable, whether that's disabled people or older people," he bill could still run out of parliamentary time if it is held up in the Lords, but the Labour MP who steered it through the Commons as a Private Member's Bill, Kim Leadbeater, said: "I would be upset to think that anybody was playing games with such an important and such an emotional issue". Sign up for our Politics Essential newsletter to read top political analysis, gain insight from across the UK and stay up to speed with the big moments. It'll be delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
