Tackling the pressures on A&E

England's target of 95% of patients in A&E being seen within 4 hours is at an all time low, with only 87.6% being seen in this time last week. One of the main causes of this problem is the increased number of people going to A&E. In the last 4 weeks there have been 1.7 million admissions to A&E, a 7% rise compared to the same period last year. Some hospitals have declared major incidents, calling in extra staff, cancelling operations and diverting ambulances away from A&E as they've been seen queuing outside. 

So why are more people going to A&E? First, when people find it difficult to get appointments with their doctors, the next place they think to go is A&E. Secondly, the ageing population is a big impact, as two thirds of A&E admissions are over the age of 65. Thirdly, few healthcare professionals take calls at the 111 helpline (the replacement of NHS direct), resulting in many being told to go to A&E or to call for an ambulance.  

Image: Trust Medical

Another major factor causing England to fail to reach its target is lack of staff. A&E struggles to recruit and maintain staff - both doctors and nurses. Each unit should have 10 consultants, with larger trusts needing 16, but most trusts average at just seven.

A page on the BBC allows you to see how your hospital is doing in comparison to the average and other hospitals in England. It also shows attendance to A&E and numbers of how many had to wait more than 4 hours. This shows 133 major trusts missing the 95% target, and only 7 meeting the target! So what can be done to improve the A&E waiting times?

A&E stands for accident and emergency, but that is not what it is being used for. People need to be made aware of other services they can use if they are unable to get doctors appointments, such as minor injuries units and walk in centres. When people need sound advice and ring the 111 helpline, less experienced non-clinical staff who follow a computer is not what is best. It may seem cheaper but causes far too many calling for ambulances and going to A&E. There is also a problem with social care as patients are not being discharged until appropriate facilities in are in place, causing there not to be enough beds.

Image: Farely Medical

With the NHS and A&E being such a concern in the news at the moment, it is a major topic in the run  up to this year's election. Let's hope that someone comes up with a reasonable plan to improve the current situation!

Private medical school opens

The first private medical school has opened in the UK, with students paying £36,000 per year for tuition fees. Studying at the University of Buckingham will have a total cost of more than £157,000 just on tuition fees - four times the amount of public medical schools.

Image: Geanow

Medical school is already a huge financial commitment, with students on undergraduate courses having to fund two more years than most courses. Even more so for graduate applicants who get no tuition fee loans if they get accepted on an undergraduate course, as opposed to a graduate course where tuition fee loans and NHS bursaries are available.

In the process of applying for medical school, applicants must take aptitude tests costing £80-250.
An initial advantage is given to those lucky enough to pay for test preparation and interview courses, which may cost up to £400. Are private medical schools just another way to make medicine elitist?

The University of Buckingham will have the same entry standards as public medical schools. However, the University of Central Lancashire, due to open a private medical school in September, will only require two As and a B at A levels. Therefore, it gives the opportunity to those worse academically, but who can afford to pay such fees. The National Union of Students has said it would "rank the course among the most expensive on earth", with only the wealthiest being able afford it. An extra privilege in applying to a private medical school is that students are able to do so in addition to the four through UCAS, giving those who can afford it an extra shot at becoming a doctor.

Image: Daily Record

UCAS figures show that 1780 school leavers with straight As at A levels failed to get into medical school last year. Is it fair patients will be left doctors who are not necessarily of the highest standard, but got into medical school due to their financial status?