References

BBC News. Gynaecology waiting lists double, leaving women in pain. 2024a. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyvg2157mvo (accessed 27 November 2024)

BBC News. GPs warn patients will feel cuts amid rises in costs. 2024b. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crez19qljewo (accessed 27 November 2024)

Sky News. A&E staff experienced record pressure in October - as NHS heads into winter busier than ever before. 2024. https://news.sky.com/video/aande-staff-experienced-record-pressure-in-october-as-nhs-heads-into-winter-busier-than-ever-before-13254022 (accessed 27 November 2024)

Resilience in challenging times

02 December 2024
Volume 6 · Issue 12

Welcome to this December issue of the Journal of Prescribing Practice.

As I write this and look out of my window at the snow, I can see winter is upon us and the NHS is bracing itself for the increased demand on its services at this time every year. This comes after a recent report stating that A&E and ambulance staff experienced record attendances this October, showing the highest figures for the month since records began in August 2010 (Sky News, 2024). The report also shows that A&E targets for treatment were down, emphasising the pressure this volume is placing on the service. The number of people waiting more than 12 hours in A&E departments in England from a decision to admit to being admitted stood at 49 592 in October, up from 38 880 in September. It's not just our emergency services that are feeling the increase in patient numbers. A recent report found waiting times for gynaecology appointments across the UK have more than doubled in the last 4 years (BBC News, 2024a), and around three-quarters of a million women's health appointments are still waiting to happen, up from 360 400 just before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Journal of Prescribing Practice and reading some of our peer-reviewed resources for prescribing professionals. To read more, please register today. You’ll enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included

  • Limited access to our clinical or professional articles

  • New content and clinical newsletter updates each month