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A&E waits in England 'getting worse' A&E waits in England 'getting worse'
(about 1 hour later)
Waiting times in A&E units in England have got even worse in the New Year, figures show. Delays faced by ambulance staff when handing patients to staff are twice as long as a year ago, NHS England figures show, as the pressure on A&E units spreads across the hospital system.
The last three months of 2014 saw performance drop to its lowest level for a decade with just 92.6% of patients seen in four hours. There were also rises in delayed discharges and cancelled operations in the past month, compared to a year ago.
The data for the week up to Sunday saw 86.7% of patients seen in four hours. The target is 95%. Meanwhile new A&E waiting time figures show performance against the four-hour target has worsened in the new year.
It also showed there had been big rises in the numbers of cancelled operations, delayed discharges and ambulance waits. The last three months of 2014 had seen the worst waits for a decade.
It comes as a number of hospitals have declared "major incidents" in recent weeks. On Tuesday figures showed 92.6% of patients were seen in four hours during the October-to-December quarter. The target is 95%.
This signifies they are facing exceptional pressures and triggers extra staff being called in and other steps, including cancelling non-emergency care, such as routine operations. The latest data covers the week up to Sunday and shows 86.7% of patients were seen in four hours.
The latest waiting time figure is the worst since weekly recording began in 2010. The last four weeks have all been the four worst ever recorded. A further analysis by the BBC of data released by NHS England has also found a number of other indicators are worsening.
Over the past four weeks, compared to the same period last year:
"The pressure has built across the system and is now spreading," said Dr Cliff Mann, president of the College of Emergency Medicine.
"We are seeing more patients come in and are struggling to get them through. This is going to persist for some time."
The figures come during a week in which a number of hospitals have declared "major incidents", leading to extra staff being called in to help them cope.
The latest waiting-time figure is the worst since weekly recording began in 2010.
The last four weeks have all been the four worst ever recorded.
Private pull-outPrivate pull-out
The overall figure includes walk-in centres and minor injury units, once they are stripped out the performance of major A&E units has dipped below 80%. Waiting time targets are being missed elsewhere in the UK too. The overall figure includes walk-in centres and minor injury units.
Data has also been published showing other pressures inside hospitals in England. Once they are stripped out the performance of major A&E units has fallen below 80%.
Over the past four weeks, compared to the same period last year, the following has happened in England: Waiting time targets are being missed elsewhere in the UK too.
Dr Sarah Pinto-Duschinsky, of NHS England, said: "The NHS continues to face unprecedented pressures on its frontline services.Dr Sarah Pinto-Duschinsky, of NHS England, said: "The NHS continues to face unprecedented pressures on its frontline services.
"Flu is now at its highest peak for the last three winters. This means the NHS will continue to be under pressure for the next few weeks.""Flu is now at its highest peak for the last three winters. This means the NHS will continue to be under pressure for the next few weeks."
Dr Mark Porter, of the British Medical Association, said the pressures were "unprecedented".Dr Mark Porter, of the British Medical Association, said the pressures were "unprecedented".
The release of the data comes on the day the private firm Circle announced it was pulling out of the contract to run Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Cambridgeshire.The release of the data comes on the day the private firm Circle announced it was pulling out of the contract to run Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Cambridgeshire.
It was the first private firm to take over the running of an entire hospital when the contract started in 2012.It was the first private firm to take over the running of an entire hospital when the contract started in 2012.
The firm blamed the rising pressures on the health system, including on A&E. Although the Care Quality Commission has carried out an inspection. The report is yet to be published, but is expected to be critical.The firm blamed the rising pressures on the health system, including on A&E. Although the Care Quality Commission has carried out an inspection. The report is yet to be published, but is expected to be critical.
The Department of Health said it was "disappointed" in the decision.The Department of Health said it was "disappointed" in the decision.
On A&E, the data in the other nations lags a bit behind England. In Wales, the data from November shows just 83.8% of patients were seen in time. On A&E, the data in the other nations lags a little behind England. In Wales, the data from November shows just 83.8% of patients were seen in time.
Northern Ireland is performing even worse - just over 80% of patients were seen within four hours in November. Northern Ireland is performing even worse - just above 80% of patients were seen within four hours in November.
Scotland has a slightly tougher waiting time target - 98% of patients should be seen in four hours - but in September 93.5% were.Scotland has a slightly tougher waiting time target - 98% of patients should be seen in four hours - but in September 93.5% were.
Comparing the September figures for England and Scotland shows England was performing slightly better in that month.Comparing the September figures for England and Scotland shows England was performing slightly better in that month.
Have you recently visited an A&E? What was your experience?Have you recently visited an A&E? What was your experience?
Have you, a friend or relative experienced a delay in being discharged from hospital?Have you, a friend or relative experienced a delay in being discharged from hospital?
If you are happy to speak to a BBC journalist about your experiences please email your details to haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukIf you are happy to speak to a BBC journalist about your experiences please email your details to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
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