NHS England figures show 13,888 patients visited A&E at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in October. That was a drop of one per cent on the 14,044 visits recorded during September, and 31 per cent lower than the 20,186 patients seen in October the previous year. The majority of attendances last month were via major A&E departments – those with full resuscitation equipment and 24-hour consultant-led care – while 28 per cent were via minor injury units. Across England, A&E departments received 1.6 million visits last month. In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.