Richard Biram

Andy Burnham, "I've had experience of trying to give care in 15 minute slots because that is what councils say that is all they can afford" "It's fine if the needs are moderate and you can complete the task in that time slot" "But what if they're not?" "What if the needs are moderate or severe and you try and do everything within 15 minutes" "I can tell you from experience, that can be a recipe for chaos" "And it leaves the staff in a difficult position, because they are told if they have a problem and cant complete what they're doing, ring 999" "That can be a really frightening experience. Because it often isn't the case that that person needs hospitalisation. You can say its the worst place they can end up" "But once that process is under way its very difficult to stop the drag of the system into hospital and everything that comes from that" "That's worse for the NHS and the staff who work there as well. It's a lose lose situation" "Because often people spend a long time A&E, a long time in hospital, then fit to be discharged but can't be discharged, it just is a pressure the NHS struggles to meet" "Today 6 million people over 65 are going to A&E every year" "In 2010 it was 3 million" "Last month 13,600 were medically fit to be discharged but couldn't be" "3,000 people every single day receive corridor care" "They used to be in winter pressures, but they're year round now" "And staff in the NHS are trying to deal with those pressures every single day" "And there is talk of burnout with NHS staff"