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Patients in the North West are the most affected by longer than expected A&E delays, new research shows

BEEN Let Down, the medical negligence team at Bond Turner, analysed latest A&E performance statistics for 111 NHS Trusts to determine which areas of the country have been most affected by delays, and how the situation has changed over the past month. Over 99% of NHS Trusts in England aren't hitting the NHS operational standard for A&E waiting times, with patients in the North West most affected by longer-than-expected delays, according to analysis of NHS England data by the Been Let Down Medical Negligence Research Team at Bond Turner. The findings are discussed in the new study which compares the latest NHS England A&E performance statistics for 111 Trusts (for May 2022) with historic figures, to determine the areas of the country in which patients are being most affected by emergency room delays, as well as how the situation has changed over time.  The NHS operational standard for A&E waiting times is that 95% of patients should be admitted, transferred or discharged within 4 hours of their arrival at an A&E department.  According to the data, the North West is the most affected area at present, with 4 of the 10 lowest performing Trusts in May situated in the Region.

In May 2022, these were East Cheshire NHS Trust, with 54.8% of patients seen within 4 hours, followed by Countess of Chester NHS Trust (59.1%), Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (59.9%) and Bolton NHS Foundation Trust (61.50%).

East Cheshire NHS Trust, which was the lowest performing trust in April 2022, has also seen a month on month performance decline (54.8% in June vs 55.8% in May), and is currently the second lowest performing Trust overall in England.

However, the lowest performing Trust in May was North West Anglia NHS Trust which is located in the East of England. In May 2022, just 54.7% of patients, at North West Anglia NHS Trust, were seen within the 4 hour target.

In May 2022, the 10 NHS Trusts with the lowest percentage of patients seen within the 4 hour A&E target were:-

1. North West Anglia - East (54.7% in June, compared to 57.9% in May)

2. East Cheshire NHS Trust - North West (54.8% in June vs 55.8% in May)

3. Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust - South West (57.6% vs 58% in May)

4. West Hertfordshire NHS Trust - East (58.2% vs 62.1%)

5. Countess of Chester - North West (59.1% vs 57.4%)

6. Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - North West (59.9% vs 55.8%)

7. Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust - London (60.5% vs 60.4%)

8. Bolton NHS Foundation Trust - North West (61.50% vs 58.4%)

9. The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn, NHS Foundation Trust - East (62.2% vs 61%)

10. University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust - Midlands (62.5% vs 62.5%)

Overall in England, just 73% of patients were seen within 4 hours off attending A&E in May 2022, and this figure drops to 60.2% when looking at Type 1 (Major A&E)1 attendances specifically.

The situation seems to have worsened when comparing the figures to those from this time last year.

In May 2021, overall performance figures showed 83.7% of patients were seen within the 4 hour target, while this was the case for 76.3% of those in Major A&E.

However, A&E attendances have grown by 5% year on year, which could explain the decline in performance compared to May 2021.

When looking at month on month comparisons for overall performance, the figures show a small improvement across England (73% seen within 4 hours in May 2022 vs 72.3% in April 2022), but the operational standard is still far from being met across the country.

Neil Crossley, Head of Clinical Negligence (Bolton) at Been Let Down commented on the research:- "Our analysis has shown that despite the efforts of NHS staff, the situation surrounding waiting times in A&E departments continues to be a concern, with some areas of the country ending up especially affected. While some slight improvements have been made in the past month, the operational standard is unfortunately still not being met across the country, with the vast majority of NHS Trusts not able to admit, transfer or discharge patients arriving at A&E departments within 4 hours. Not only can long delays mean the departments will become overcrowded and cause patients to wait in uncomfortable conditions, but they are continuously putting patients' health at risk, and can sometimes cause very serious consequences despite all the efforts of healthcare professionals. For patients in need of urgent care, every single minute matters." 

For more information, please visit:- BeenLetDown.Co.UK.