labourpress:

Jonathan Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, responding to the latest Winter Situation Report Data, said:

“Today’s figures reveal that the intense pressure and strain on A&E departments is increasing week on week. This crisis is only getting worse and with the cold weather due to set in, there will be deep concerns over the next days and weeks.

“Last week alone, there were 39 incidents across England where A&E departments had to close their doors to ambulances and direct to another hospital as they could not guarantee patients would get the level of care they needed.

“The response of Theresa May to this NHS crisis has been one of incompetence and denial. Astonishingly she told the Commons this week there were only a ‘small number of incidents in which unacceptable practise have taken place.’

“The Prime Minister needs to explain if she considers today’s figures as ‘small’ or whether she considers the numbers of ambulances being diverted from A&E as acceptable?

“The sad truth is ministers have refused a package of urgent support for social care, have sought to downgrade targets, blame the public for seeking medical attention and dismiss leading health experts and physicians for warning of the dangers to public health.

“It is becoming increasingly clear that Theresa May does not have a plan to ensure the public get the healthcare they deserve and pay their taxes for. The PM needs to get a grip of the situation urgently and put the NHS on a sustainable financial footing.”