NHS treatment and A&E waiting times at worst-ever level since targets first introduced in 2004
Delays in England for hospital care and in A&E over October hit record high levels as key targets across the NHS have been missed for more than three years.
According to new NHS data, one in six patients during October waited longer than the four-hour target in A&E in England, proving to be the worst-ever level of performance since the introduction of the target 15 years ago.
83.6 percent of A&E patients were admitted or transferred within four hours in October, far below the 95 percent target.
Alongside the lowest A&E wait performance, the figures disclosed that routine hospital treatments were also being delayed as pressure continues to mount on the Health Service following one of its busiest summers.
4.42 million patients were on the waiting list for treatments at the end of September, the highest number ever, with 84.8 percent of them waiting under 18 weeks – again missing the 92 percent target and the worst performance since the target was introduced in 2012.
Additionally, despite a target of 85 percent target, NHS England confirmed only 76.9 percent of cancer patients were starting treatment within 62 days – with almost one in four starting cancer treatment late.
Responding to the recent’s NHS figures, British Medical Association (BMA) council chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul said: “These shocking figures show precisely what the BMA has feared – that the NHS is on a collision course for its worst winter yet. This is a catastrophe for the NHS with autumn figures as bad as any in the depths of previous winters.
“A&E wait times are the worst since modern records began, trolley waits the highest they’ve ever been outside of winter, and 4.42million people waiting for routine operations – the highest number in NHS history.”
Recently, the BMA warned that the NHS in England was on the brink of a major crisis, with the October figures highlighting a potentially extremely difficult winter ahead for the health service, as temperatures drop and demand rises.
“This is completely unfair for patients and staff and the perilous state of the NHS must be urgently addressed,” he added.
All three targets for A&E waiting times, routine hospital treatments and cancer treatment have been missed continuously in England over the past three years.
https://thiis.co.uk/nhs-treatment-and-ae-waiting-times-at-worst-ever-level-since-targets-first-introduced-in-2004/https://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/ambulance-AE.jpghttps://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/ambulance-AE-150x150.jpgNewsroomNHSSector NewsA&E delays,BMA,British Medical Association,cancer treatment,crisis,Data,NHS,NHS England,NHS waiting times,report,winter pressuresDelays in England for hospital care and in A&E over October hit record high levels as key targets across the NHS have been missed for more than three years. According to new NHS data, one in six patients during October waited longer than the four-hour target in A&E in England,...Calvin BarnettCalvin Barnettcalvin.barnett@bhta.comAuthorTHIIS Magazine