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A&E waiting times hit worst-ever level Hospitals 'imploding' as waits at worst-ever level
(about 1 hour later)
One in six patients waited longer than four hours in A&E in England during October - the worst-ever performance since the target was introduced in 2004. More patients than ever before are on hospital waiting lists in England and delays in A&E have hit their worst level since records began figures show.
The data from NHS England showed 83.6% of patients arriving at A&E were treated or admitted in four hours. The target to start cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral is also being missed.
The target is 95%. It has not been met since July 2015. The monthly statistics are the worst since targets were introduced over a decade ago, prompting doctors to warn the system was "imploding".
Other targets covering cancer and routine hospital treatment are also being missed. None of the three key hospital targets have been met for over three years.
The figures show:
NHS England said hospitals were under pressure, seeing "more older and sicker patients".
A spokesman said, with winter coming, hospitals would be opening extra beds.
But he urged the public to play their part by getting the flu jab and using the 111 phone line and NHS online services "as first port of call for non-emergencies".
Dr Nick Scriven, of the Society of Acute Medicine, said: "These figures are truly worrying as we haven't even reached the 'traditional' winter period yet."
He said urgent action was needed, warning hospitals were "imploding".
"We have heard so many announcements over the last few weeks of half-baked projects that require either thrice promised money or are totally uncosted for the real world."
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