A&E waiting times ‘worst on record’

A&Es handling the most serious emergency cases are missing crucial waiting time targets, new analysis has shown. NHS Trusts for the Royal Free Hospital (including Barnet Hospital), Whittington Hospital, and University College London (UCL) A&E departments failed to hit the government’s target – to see 95% of patients within four hours – in January of this year. Andrew Dismore, Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden said these figures were “the worst on record” and measures announced in this week’s budget would “barely scratch the surface” of the problem.

 

The government’s 95% target includes patients at A&E, specialist, and urgent care centres. However, the latest NHS data shows that in January of this year not a single hospital A&E department in London (excluding specialist and GP led urgent care centres) hit this target. In fact, only 2 of the 19 trusts saw patients within 4 hours more than 85% of the time. This is the worst ever monthly performance recorded in London.

 

UCL saw 86.4% of patients within target, Royal Free 83% and Whittington Hospital just 82.9%. Despite these pressures, there are further cuts in the new Sustainability and Transformation Plans, which are expected to leave a £900 million deficit by 2021 for the North Central London sector, comprising Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington. Mr Dismore said it “isn’t viable” to expect Trusts to meet growing pressure whilst simultaneously cutting their funding.

 

Mr Dismore said:

 

“These figures are the worst on record, and things are not going to get better anytime soon.”

 

“The NHS, local councils and adult social care are under extreme financial pressure.The announcements from the Chancellor in the budget will barely scratch the surface in terms of the increasing need and pressure that councils are under. As for the commitment to put more GPs into A&Es, he seems to be oblivious that we are already facing a severe shortage of qualified GPs, particularly in London.”

“The government’s unrelenting squeeze on the NHS must stop. Expecting Trusts to meet growing pressure whilst cutting their funding just isn’t viable. Our NHS needs to be properly funded and supported – the government needs to take action and they need to take it now.”

ENDS

Notes

FacebookTwitterLinkedInShare