RCS response to Urgent and Emergency Care Review

Commenting on NHS England’s Urgent and Emergency Care Review, Professor Norman Williams President of the Royal College of Surgeons, said:

‘For many patients Accident and Emergency departments are the go-to place where they know they will be seen and treated at any time of the day or night. This has led to rising pressure that has put the system under enormous strain.

We welcome the review’s focus on finding solutions to these complex and politically difficult issues. It is important that a sustainable urgent and emergency care system emerges from the review so that hospitals can focus on treating some of the sickest patients, about a fifth of whom will require urgent surgery.

We need some innovative and workable solutions that deliver high quality care seven days a week and this will require all parts of the system working cohesively. The surgical profession and this College will do all it can to help solve this overwhelming problem.’

Notes to editors

The Royal College of Surgeons of England is committed to enabling surgeons to achieve and maintain the highest standards of surgical practice and patient care. Registered charity number: 212808

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