NHS Crisis

It used to be a boast of the UK government that they had the finest NHS in the world. No such boast is heard today. 'Casualty wards could hit major difficulties if the numbers suffering from flu and norovirus continue to rise, experts warned. ......  More than 10,000 patients had to wait longer than four hours for a bed after being admitted from A&E. Last year the figure was under 4,000. Public Health England data showed flu infection rates last week were 66 per cent higher than last year. ..... Dr Peter Carter, chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing, said: "Although patient numbers are rising NHS trusts can't hire enough nurses because of misguided cuts to training places.' (Daily Express, 20 December) RD