NHS accident and emergency services faced heavy demand over the summer, while performance measures showed some improvement in how quickly patients were assessed and treated. The figures highlight the continuing pressure on urgent and emergency care as services move into the autumn.
High attendance levels place pressure on emergency departments and on the wider services that support them. Delays can occur when hospitals are managing demand at the same time as arranging admissions, discharges and onward care.
Improving emergency care therefore depends on more than activity inside A&E departments. Primary care, community services, hospital capacity and discharge arrangements all affect how patients move through the system.
Digital services such as the NHS App can also help patients manage appointments and access information, although they are only one part of the wider effort to improve patient flow.
As seasonal pressures change, NHS services will need to maintain improvements while preparing for new periods of demand. People with urgent but non-life-threatening concerns should use appropriate NHS services, while emergencies should continue to be directed to emergency care.
