This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/7050558.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Patients have longer waits at A&E Patients have longer waits at A&E
(11 minutes later)
Patients are having to wait longer for treatment in accident and emergency units across Wales, according to the latest figures.Patients are having to wait longer for treatment in accident and emergency units across Wales, according to the latest figures.
Only two out of 13 trusts reached targets of treating patients within four hours.Only two out of 13 trusts reached targets of treating patients within four hours.
In September 2007, 89.7% of patients were seen within that time - down on last year. The target is 95%.In September 2007, 89.7% of patients were seen within that time - down on last year. The target is 95%.
The figures also showed that some patients were not being seen within eight hours.The figures also showed that some patients were not being seen within eight hours.
The results varied from region to region across the country.The results varied from region to region across the country.
Cardiff and the Vale NHS Trust was the worst performing area with 76.6% of patients seen within four hours.Cardiff and the Vale NHS Trust was the worst performing area with 76.6% of patients seen within four hours.
The best performing were Pontypridd and Rhondda NHS Trust (95.9%) and North West Wales (95.3%).The best performing were Pontypridd and Rhondda NHS Trust (95.9%) and North West Wales (95.3%).
It is little wonder we have capacity problems within A&E departments when so many beds in the main hospital are taken up with people who do not need to be there Jonathan Morgan AMIt is little wonder we have capacity problems within A&E departments when so many beds in the main hospital are taken up with people who do not need to be there Jonathan Morgan AM
On top of that the target that no patient should ever wait more than eight hours to be seen in a major A&E is also not being met. Statistics published on Thursday, showed that a target that no patient should ever wait more than eight hours to be seen in a major A&E is also not being met.
The average around Wales for September 2007 being 98.4%.The average around Wales for September 2007 being 98.4%.
Shadow health minister Jonathan Morgan AM said waiting times could be cut by easing bed blocking and increasing A&E capacity.Shadow health minister Jonathan Morgan AM said waiting times could be cut by easing bed blocking and increasing A&E capacity.
"The assembly government needs to review the four hour target to see how effective it is," he said."The assembly government needs to review the four hour target to see how effective it is," he said.
"The fundamental problem is two-fold. One, we have not seen an increase in the capacity of A&E departments to deal with increased demands placed upon them by patients."The fundamental problem is two-fold. One, we have not seen an increase in the capacity of A&E departments to deal with increased demands placed upon them by patients.
"And two, nothing has been done to alleviate the problem of bed blocking.""And two, nothing has been done to alleviate the problem of bed blocking."
He called on health minister Edwina Hart to ensure that local authorities fulfilled their obligation to help transfer patients out of hospital and into community care by introducing fines for those which failed to achieve it.He called on health minister Edwina Hart to ensure that local authorities fulfilled their obligation to help transfer patients out of hospital and into community care by introducing fines for those which failed to achieve it.