Concern as four hour A&E target hits lowest level since records began Health Foundation response to NHS England monthly performance statistics

Commenting on the latest NHS England monthly performance statistics, Tim Gardner, Senior Policy Fellow at the Health Foundation, said:

‘Today’s data shows parts of the NHS creaking at the seams with performance against the four hour A&E target in 2018/19 hitting its lowest level since records began 15 years ago.

‘The record number of people treated within the four hour target over the last 12 months is testament to the huge efforts of NHS staff. However growing numbers of people are waiting over four hours as demand continues to outstrip provision.

‘It is becoming untenable for the NHS to maintain quality of care in the face of ever rising demand from patients with increasingly complex conditions, ongoing funding issues and growing staff shortages.

‘As the NHS begins to test new waiting time targets for A&E to replace the four hour standard, it is absolutely vital that comparable data remains publicly available to maintain a consistent, long term view of how the NHS is performing in the face of these pressures.’

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Simon Perry
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