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30/08/2011
A&E Waiting Times 'Over Two Hours'
A report from the NHS has revealed the average waiting times for those attending A&E is over two hours, writes Damien Whinnery in a 4NI.co.uk exclusive.
The Provisional Accident & Emergency Quality Indicators released on Tuesday measures the quality of care delivered in A&E departments in England, and found that the median average total time in A&E for all patients was two hours 11 minutes, while 95% of patients are there for a total of four hours 18 minutes.
According to the NHS, the report is the first from data on the Accident and Emergency clinical quality indicators, drawn from data within hospital statistics. The data relates to A&E attendances in April 2011 and draws on just under 1.4 million detailed records of attendances at major A&E departments.
The report also found that nationally, 3.4% of those attending A&E had left before being seen for treatment, while 7.5% re-attended within seven days of a previous attendance.
Responding to the figures, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: "Waiting is not the only thing that matters to patients, which is why it should not be the only thing that matters to the NHS.
"The figures published today will help the NHS drive up the standards of care, improve patients' experience and shine a light on where A&Es can improve."
Mr Lansley said patients should be able to expect a 24/7 accessible and safe emergency care service and that he expected all trusts to use the report in a positive way to improve services for patients.
Meanwhile, Professor Matthew Cooke, National Clinical Director for Emergency and Urgent Care said: "We now have measures that look at the percentage of patients who re-attend A&E departments within seven days of their first visit or how quickly potentially life-threatening conditions are first assessed so that the emergency care system can be viewed as a whole to give patients the best possible care.”
(DW/BMcC)
The Provisional Accident & Emergency Quality Indicators released on Tuesday measures the quality of care delivered in A&E departments in England, and found that the median average total time in A&E for all patients was two hours 11 minutes, while 95% of patients are there for a total of four hours 18 minutes.
According to the NHS, the report is the first from data on the Accident and Emergency clinical quality indicators, drawn from data within hospital statistics. The data relates to A&E attendances in April 2011 and draws on just under 1.4 million detailed records of attendances at major A&E departments.
The report also found that nationally, 3.4% of those attending A&E had left before being seen for treatment, while 7.5% re-attended within seven days of a previous attendance.
Responding to the figures, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: "Waiting is not the only thing that matters to patients, which is why it should not be the only thing that matters to the NHS.
"The figures published today will help the NHS drive up the standards of care, improve patients' experience and shine a light on where A&Es can improve."
Mr Lansley said patients should be able to expect a 24/7 accessible and safe emergency care service and that he expected all trusts to use the report in a positive way to improve services for patients.
Meanwhile, Professor Matthew Cooke, National Clinical Director for Emergency and Urgent Care said: "We now have measures that look at the percentage of patients who re-attend A&E departments within seven days of their first visit or how quickly potentially life-threatening conditions are first assessed so that the emergency care system can be viewed as a whole to give patients the best possible care.”
(DW/BMcC)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
