A & E waiting times rising

A King's Fund analysis has concluded that the proportion of patients waiting more than four hours in accident and emergency departments has reached its highest level since 2004. Waiting times are reported to have increased by more than a quarter in the six months to March of this year.

Commenting on the study, Royal College of Nursing Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr Peter Carter, said: “This report is another reflection of the growing pressure that the NHS frontline is under.  Our own studies earlier this month showed that patients were being placed on hospital trolley for hours on end and treated in corridors not appropriate for care. With the NHS in England facing such a huge financial challenge and with the rising demand in A&E departments, we fear that patients will be forced to wait longer and longer periods for treatment over the next few years.”

The BBC