NO hospital accident and emergency hospital in England hit the four-hour target for seeing patients last month, new figures have shown.
Data from NHS England shows just 81.4% of A&E patients were seen within four hours in November, set against a target of 95%. It is the worst figure on record.
Some 88,923 patients waited more than four hours to be admitted to hospital after a decision to admit – 64% higher than the same month last year.
Of these, 1112 patients waited more than 12 hours compared to 258 in November 2018, a 331% rise.
READ MORE: Health board concealed QEUH infection concerns from ministers
The number of people waiting for treatment, such as knee and hip replacements, was also at its highest-ever level – 4.45 million – in October. Just 84.7% of patients were starting treatment within 18 weeks against a target of 92%.
Targets on how long people should wait for cancer treatment also continue to be missed, the data shows.
Nigel Edwards, chief executive of the Nuffield Trust think tank, said: “Returning to Downing Street, Boris Johnson has been met by an immediate reminder of the grim winter his Government faces in the English NHS.
“The November figures show the number of patients waiting on trolleys is at its highest level ever, a very worrying sign with the coldest months still to come.
“For the first time, not one single major A&E department in England met the current four-hour waiting time target.
“Figures for the first week of December suggest what may be driving this, showing bed occupancy at 95%, a level which will make it near impossible to admit many patients in need on to the right ward.
Niall Dickson, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: “These figures show an NHS on its knees and it is no wonder that most leaders predict that this winter will be the worst on record.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel