Our recommendations, if adopted would go a long way to reducing trolley waits

Prof Carol Black, RCP vice-president

"What we would like to see is as wide a spread as possible of physicians with training in general medicine as well," said Professor Carol Black, RCP vice-president.

"This would speed up the process and ensure patients are getting to the right bed."

Forced to wait

The report says patients are forced to wait on trolleys because of a shortage of beds, inefficient management of admissions and delays in referring them to other wards.

It also highlights the problems that occur when hospital and other services are not available.

It says beds could be freed up if tests such as x-rays and endoscopies were available 24 hours a day and if pharmacy and social services were available seven days a week.

Some patients are stuck in hospital beds because there are no ambulances to bring them home, it says.

The college has also called for more consultants who deal with emergency admissions to hospitals to ensure senior doctors, instead of junior doctors, have the time to properly treat patients.

"We are all aware of the need to improve the emergency medical care offered to patients," said Prof Black.

"Our recommendations, if adopted would go a long way to reducing trolley waits and improving the quality and speed with which care is delivered."