More people seen in under four hours at Shropshire’s A&E Departments
The number of people being seen at A&E in Shropshire in under four hours has risen again in the last three months, despite more than 2,000 extra patients coming through the doors.
Figures released today by NHS England show that in the three months to the end of March 2015, more than 31,000 people were seen by A&E staff at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust.
The figure is more than 2,000 higher than for the previous quarter and more than 4,500 up on the same period two years ago.
But despite the rise in attendances, more than 27,000 people were admitted, transferred or discharged in under four hours, a rise of more than 1,000 on the last quarter and more than 4,000 in the same period in 2013.
Although the number of people being seen within four hours has risen, the greater increase in the number of people attending A&E has seen the Trust’s performance against the four-hour waiting time target fall in percentage terms.
The national target is set at 95%. In the first three months of 2015, the Trust figure was 86.3%. In the last three months of 2014 the Trust figure was 88.7%, but in same period in 2013 it was 85.9%.
Debbie Kadum, Chief Operating Officer at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, said:
“The demand for services which hospitals across the country have faced over the winter period has been widely reported, and we are no different. After one of the busiest Christmas periods that many of us can remember, the high levels of demand have continued at the start of 2015.
“Compared to the start of 2013, which was a more severe winter than last year, we have seen over 4,500 more people in our Emergency Departments over the last three months.
“However, thanks to the hard work and dedication of all of our staff, the actual number of people being admitted, transferred or discharged in under four hours has risen.
“The latest figures show that there are people who are waiting too long in A&E, and this is something we already know and are working hard to resolve. With our partners in local healthcare we are looking at ways to speed up the transfer of people who are in our hospitals but who no longer need the specialist levels of care we provide.
“We would also again remind people that for many conditions, they could be helped much more quickly by thinking of the alternatives.
“A&E Departments are for life-threatening and emergency conditions, such as heart attacks, strokes, breathing problems and serious injuries.
“If you have a minor injury or illnesses, such as a stomach bug, flu, or cold, you can check with your GP, NHS 111 or visit your local pharmacy, who can advise you on the best course of treatment.”
