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NHS performance on key targets worsens NHS performance on key targets worsens
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The NHS is failing to hit key targets relating to A&E, tests for illnesses and referring patients for treatment.The NHS is failing to hit key targets relating to A&E, tests for illnesses and referring patients for treatment.
The latest performance statistics for December show a worsening across several areas, with one missed target being for people to be treated within 18 weeks. The latest performance statistics for December show a worsening across several areas, with one missed target being for people to be treated within 18 weeks of referral by a GP or other healthcare professional.
It is the first time the 18-week target – which refers to people receiving treatment within 18 weeks of being referred by a GP or other health professional – has been missed since it was introduced in April 2012. It is the first time the target has been missed since it was introduced in April 2012. In December, 91.8% of people were treated within 18 weeks against the 92% target.
In December, 91.8% of people were treated within 18 weeks against the 92% target.
Meanwhile, 91% of patients were admitted, transferred or discharged from A&E within four hours of arrival – below the 95% standard.Meanwhile, 91% of patients were admitted, transferred or discharged from A&E within four hours of arrival – below the 95% standard.
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This is the second lowest on record. The lowest was December 2014 (89.9%).This is the second lowest on record. The lowest was December 2014 (89.9%).
On delayed transfers of care – which occur when patients are fit to leave hospital but services such as social care are not in place to look after them – there were 154,060 days of delays in December, the second highest on record.On delayed transfers of care – which occur when patients are fit to leave hospital but services such as social care are not in place to look after them – there were 154,060 days of delays in December, the second highest on record.
Ambulance targets, which were missed for most of 2015, were also missed in December. Ambulance targets, which were missed for most of 2015, were also missed in December with 72.6% of the most serious Red 1 calls – where patients are not breathing or do not have a pulse – responded to within eight minutes against a 75% target.
Some 72.6% of the most serious Red 1 calls – where patients are not breathing or do not have a pulse – were responded to within eight minutes against a 75% target. Just over 67% of Red 2 calls – still serious, such as strokes or fits – were responded to within eight minutes, far below the 75% target.
About 67.2% of Red 2 calls – still serious, such as strokes or fits – were responded to within eight minutes, far below the 75% target. On diagnostic tests such as endoscopy, just over 2% of patients had been waiting six weeks or longer from referral, meaning the target of 1% was missed. It has not been met since November 2013.
On diagnostic tests such as endoscopy, just over 2% of patients had been waiting six weeks or longer from referral, meaning the target of 1% was missed.
It has not been met since November 2013.