An 86-year-old woman was left “rolling over in pain” during a 30-hour wait to be admitted at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan, prompting alarm over the pressures facing the NHS.
Joan Jones’s case highlights the human cost behind waiting time statistics, as squeezed funding, staff shortages and years of failure to fix social care have put the health service under intolerable strain, according to the Mirror.
Extreme Heat Adds to NHS Strain
Demand is now rising in summer as well as winter due to extreme heat, leaving the NHS with no respite. Health Secretary Yvette Cooper committed £140 million for urgent care at the weekend but acknowledged that this winter will be even more challenging than normal after a heavy summer.
Andy Burnham appears ready to tackle the intractable issue of social care reform, which could free up beds. But patients like Joan cannot afford to wait.
Fire and Rehire Restrictions Confirmed
In a separate development, ministers are restricting “unscrupulous” fire and rehire practices from March next year, after a short delay confirmed on Thursday. The move, part of the Employment Rights Act, aims to stop employers cutting pay or holiday entitlement by firing and rehiring workers on worse terms.
Unions have long campaigned for the change, which Labour promised in the 2024 election.
Pokémon Cards Fetch £1.56 Million
Meanwhile, an anonymous collector became an overnight millionaire after a haul of mint condition Pokémon cards sold for £1.56 million at auction. The collection had been gathering dust after his son lost interest in the game.
