NHS A&E Waiting Times Get Worse Despite Lower Numbers of People Seen

12.00.00am GMT Thu 18th Feb 2010

Number of patients in A & E seen decline - but so does the performance targets

Waiting times for patients at a major Accident and Emergency Department got worse during January, despite the local NHS seeing less people turning up for treatment - continuing a downward trend for the past four months.

Local Assembly Member, Michael German, says that there has been a general decline in the performance of A & E waiting times in Gwent's Aneurin Bevan NHS Trust.

In January 8,500 people were seen, with only 78 per cent of people being seen within the Welsh Government's four hour waiting target. The number of people being seen at major A&E departments was significantly down over the last few months.

Michael German AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly for the Gwent area points out that since October of last year the numbers of people being seen has fallen by approximately 20 per cent: "However the performance against target has continued to get worse month-on-month."

Clearly angry by the downward trend, Mr. German added, "Exactly how long do we have to wait for the Labour-Plaid Government to get a grip and provide front-line NHS services we should expect as standard?"

"Just like the Ambulance service, we've being given promise after promise that things will improve. I have no doubt that the professional staff in A&E departments are working flat out. There needs to be an explanation form the Health Minister way this the key A & E waiting target has been missed and why it has been slipping for the past four months."