Cuts in social care are being blamed for a surge in demand for A&E services. It comes after the NHS revealed waiting times in emergency departments are at their worst for a decade. Health charities say chronic underfunding has left hundreds of thousands of older and disabled people not getting the help they need. Richard Hawkes, chairman of the Care and Support Alliance, said this has had a "knock-on effect" on the health service. "It is forced to pick up the pieces when people become isolated, can't live on their own and slip into crisis. "Every day, our organisations hear horror stories of people who struggle to get the support they need."