More patients than ever before had to wait more than four hours for A&E treatment last month as winter put unprecedented strain on the NHS.
Hospital A&E units in England dealt with just 76.1% of patients within four hours last month, statistics released on Thursday showed. That was their worst performance against the target since records began. They are meant to treat and then admit, discharge or transfer 95% of patients within four hours.
Hospitals’ increasing inability to do so meant 320,990 people – another record – were forced to wait more than four hours as they struggled to cope with the sheer number of arrivals.
A&E doctors said the growing delays were putting both the safety and quality of patients’ care – and potentially their lives – at risk.
Full Story: The Guardian, 14 February 2019