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NHS in England 'misses A&E target' | NHS in England 'misses A&E target' |
(34 minutes later) | |
The NHS in England narrowly missed its four-hour A&E waiting time target last week, official figures show. | The NHS in England narrowly missed its four-hour A&E waiting time target last week, official figures show. |
Figures for the week up to January 5 show 94.3% of patients were seen within four hours - below the 95% target. | Figures for the week up to January 5 show 94.3% of patients were seen within four hours - below the 95% target. |
It comes despite a drop in attendances, with visits down by over 5% compared to a normal winter week. | It comes despite a drop in attendances, with visits down by over 5% compared to a normal winter week. |
In theory this should have made it easier for A&E departments to meet the target to treat, discharge or admit people within four hours. | In theory this should have made it easier for A&E departments to meet the target to treat, discharge or admit people within four hours. |
Once the more minor centres, such as walk-in centres and minor injury units, are discounted performance was even lower, at 91.5%. | Once the more minor centres, such as walk-in centres and minor injury units, are discounted performance was even lower, at 91.5%. |
The data shows that two thirds of the 144 trusts that run the major A&Es missed the target. | The data shows that two thirds of the 144 trusts that run the major A&Es missed the target. |
The overall target was missed in the first two weeks of December, but then returned above the 95% mark in the week leading up to Christmas and during the Christmas week. | The overall target was missed in the first two weeks of December, but then returned above the 95% mark in the week leading up to Christmas and during the Christmas week. |
'Encouraging' | |
Dr Barbara Hakin, deputy chief executive for NHS England, said there were many positives to take from the figures. | Dr Barbara Hakin, deputy chief executive for NHS England, said there were many positives to take from the figures. |
"The first few weeks of the calendar year are generally the toughest for the NHS, but this week's figures are over a percentage point better than the same week last year. | "The first few weeks of the calendar year are generally the toughest for the NHS, but this week's figures are over a percentage point better than the same week last year. |
"This is hugely encouraging for patients and follows an excellent performance over the Christmas holiday period." | "This is hugely encouraging for patients and follows an excellent performance over the Christmas holiday period." |
She added: "All this suggests that the NHS has prepared well and pulled out all the stops on behalf of the public. I want to thank the frontline teams from across the NHS who made this happen - they should be given the credit they deserve." | She added: "All this suggests that the NHS has prepared well and pulled out all the stops on behalf of the public. I want to thank the frontline teams from across the NHS who made this happen - they should be given the credit they deserve." |
But Andy Burnham, the shadow health secretary, said the figures showed a "worrying slump" in A&E performance. | |
He added: "Experts warned the government about the A&E crisis but they refused to listen. Just weeks after ministers said 'the crisis is behind us', patients have experienced the worst week in A&E so far this winter." |