CEM Statements

For press queries regarding College statements please contact:

Red Door Communications (Tel: 020 8392 8040, Fax: 020 8392 8050,

Claire Woods (020 8392 8098, Lottie Tupholme (020 8392 6937)
Email: cwoods@rdcomms.com, ltupholme@rdcomms.com

2011

Waiting times in Emergency Departments (15 August 2011) - Following the publication of data from the Department of Health that suggests that the number of people waiting more than four hours in Emergency Departments in England has nearly doubled in the past year, the College of Emergency Medicine has issued the following quote:

“Relaxation of the 4 hour target to 95% of Emergency Department patients being treated and admitted or discharged within four hours was supported by The College of Emergency Medicine as strict adherence to the previous target (98%) was distorting patient care and placing clinicians under immense pressure. 

Whilst today’s figures do show that the number of people waiting more than four hours in Emergency Departments in England has increased, over 20 million patients visit Emergency Departments each year in England with the vast majority of these being seen in less than four hours. 

Optimising patient care in Emergency Departments is not achieved by just reducing waiting times, which is why a set of new Quality Indicators was introduced in April this year.  These indicators include measures of time, together with markers of quality and safety, designed to drive better patient care in all Emergency Departments. The indicators will retain focus and support for the development of emergency care to the high standard our patients expect and deserve.” - Dr John Heyworth, President of the College of Emergency Medicine

Joint statement on the emergency care of older people (18 May 2011) - the College together with the BGS, RCGP, RCN and RCP have published a statement calling for the development and integration of care for older people.

CEM response to the Health and Social Care Bill (2 Mar 2011)

What is Emergency Medicine? (15 Feb 2011) - The College of Emergency Medicine has prepared this guide for medical colleagues in other specialties, many of whom will have had experience of hospital Emergency Medicine in the past. It is designed to inform colleagues of the changes over recent years and of the potential future of Emergency Medicine in the UK.

CEM response to NHS Information Centre report on ED attendances (19 January 2011)