Worst ever A&E waiting times

DELAYS in accident and emergency departments are at their worst ever as the NHS winter crisis continues into spring.

Last month only 76.4% of patients were seen within four hours compared with 76.9% in February. The target is 95%.

A&Es in Blackpool and Hillingdon, West London, both recorded under 50%.

Dr Nick Scriven, of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “These stark figures are the clearest indication yet of the eternal winter we now face in the NHS.”

Shadow Health Secretary Jon Ashworth said: “Today’s statistics reveal a shocking new low for A&E departments under this Tory Government following years of sustained under-funding. It’s now clearer than ever that we face a year-round crisis.”

NHS England said: “During March we continued to experience severe pressures.”