Theresa May changes tack to apologise for postponed operations

Unprecedented apology from the prime minister came on hospital visit after 24 people died last week of flu

Theresa May apologised to the tens of thousands of people affected by NHS England’s decision that hospitals should postpone non-urgent operations and outpatient clinics until the end of January to help hospitals cope with the surge in demand for care.

The prime minister’s unprecedented apology came as new figures showed that 16,900 people – the highest number this winter – were stuck in the backs of ambulances waiting to enter an A&E unit and 24 patients died of flu last week after a sudden upsurge in sickness caused by the virus. The fatalities mean that 48 people have died of flu since the start of October – more than double the 23 who did so in the same period last year.

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Related: Q&A: Why is the NHS under so much pressure this winter?

Continue reading... January 05, 2018 at 01:54AM