A&E hospital waiting times hit worst level since NHS records began, figures show

Just 84.4 per cent of patients treated, admitted or discharged within four hours despite milder flu and weather – lowest since 95 per cent target was set in 2004

Waits at A&E departments in England have hit their worst levels since records began, official NHS statistics have shown.

Despite pressures from flu and bad weather so far this winter being significantly lower than in 2018, performance against the flagship four hour target in January hit its lowest level since its introduction in 2004.

NHS leaders said Thursday’s figures must be a wakeup call to the government that chronic underfunding in social care and a mounting staffing crisis is creating dangers for patients.

 

Full story on the Indepedent, 14 February 2019