George Eliot missing targets

NUNEATON’S hospital is missing government targets in a range of areas amid increased pressure nationwide, according to NHS data.

The George Eliot Hospital is falling behind national goals, with patients spending more time waiting than is hoped for by the government.

NHS statistics show that in February 2017, the most recent data available, the hospital was under performing compared to national targets.

In February 2017, 82.1 per cent of patients who attended A&E at the George Eliot hospital, were seen within four hours or less.

The government target is for that figure to be at least 95 per cent.

NHS targets are also set out for the time it takes for patients to receive treatment and have tests.

Hospitals are given the aim of ensuring at least 92 per cent of patients are having treatment within 18 weeks of being referred.

In February 2017 in Nuneaton, 89.2 per cent had treatment within 18 weeks after being referred.

For patients waiting for one of 15 key diagnostic tests, the target is that less than 1% of patients are waiting more than six weeks.

In February 2017, Nuneaton’s hospital hit this target, with no patients waiting more than six weeks for these tests.

Only one in seven patients should be experiencing waits of more than two months for cancer treatment as the NHS sets a target of 85 per cent for the number of patients expected to wait less than 62 days from referral.

The George Eliot missed the national target in this area, with 83.33 per cent of all cancer patients being treated within 62 days.

The worst month on record for A&E waiting times at the George Eliot hospital was March 2003 and October 2010 was the worst month for patients experiencing long waits for any type of treatment to start.

A significant increase on patients being delayed leaving the hospital has been seen over the last seven years.

Since 2010, the figures for bed blocking have increased by 70 per cent at the George Eliot, with the worst on record being November 2014.

Health experts, such as the Royal College of Surgeons, say occupancy levels should ideally be under 85 per cent.

Anything over this level is regarded as putting patients at a greater risk as it leads to bed shortages, periodic bed crises and a rise in healthcare-acquired infections such as MRSA.

A spokesperson for George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust said: “The George Eliot has faced significant challenges and pressure on our services over the last year.

“As such, we are working together with our partners to ensure that we are able to meet the demands of the local health population in the future.

“We are proud of our record in delivering high quality and safe care to our patients and we are pleased to be able to continue to deliver this.”