Ambulance Delays Lead to Patient Fatalities in England

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A recent survey by Unison reveals that ambulance crews in England are witnessing deaths in the back of vehicles due to severe delays in emergency department handovers. The survey, which included nearly 600 ambulance workers, reported that queues of up to 20 ambulances are common outside some hospitals, with crews waiting over 12 hours to transfer patients.

Approximately 75% of respondents indicated they have provided care to patients in ambulances during these lengthy waits, while two-thirds reported patients’ conditions worsening in their care. The survey also highlighted that about 414,137 patients experienced harm from prolonged waits in ambulances over the past year, with 44,409 facing severe potential harm or death.

Unison’s general secretary Christina McAnea called for immediate action to address these critical issues within the National Health Service (NHS), stating, “The pressure on the NHS is unsustainable.” According to an NHS spokesperson, efforts are being made to improve patient handovers and outcomes, while the Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the unacceptable nature of the current delays.

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