Highest-ever patient numbers kept waiting 12 hours in A&E
A RECORD number of patients spent more than 12 hours waiting for treatment in Welsh A&E departments, new data has revealed.
In January, a total of 6,882 patients spent 12 hours or more in an emergency care facility in Wales from arrival until admission, transfer or discharge – the highest on record.
The Welsh Government figures, released yesterday, reveal an increase of 229 patients experiencing the longest waiting times compared to December 2019 and an increase of 1,590 patients compared to January 2019. The target is that no patient should wait more than 12 hours to be treated, transferred or discharged.
Meanwhile, the percentage of patients spending less than four hours in A&E increased from the previous month but still fell short of the 95% target.
The Welsh Government said 74.6% of patients (62,406 patients) spent less than hour hours in all emergency care facilities.
The Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) expressed concern that the number of people waiting more than 36 weeks for hospital treatment has almost doubled in the past year. In December, 25,549 patients in Wales were waiting more than 36 weeks for planned treatment.
That is an increase of 12,982 on the same time the previous year.
RCS director in Wales and consultant breast surgeon Richard Johnson said the figures show patients are “waiting far too long for hospital treatment”.
He said: “The Government’s own targets have been missed again.
“We have welcomed recent announcements from the Welsh Government of extra money to reduce waiting times and to support the NHS in Wales with winter pressures.
“But we need to see consistent action because long waits for surgery are traumatising for patients and their families.
“A patient’s condition can also deteriorate the longer they are made to wait for treatment, meaning the eventual outcomes are not as good as they could have been.”
Plaid Cymru AM Rhun ap Iorwerth said the figures for A&E waiting times keep getting worse and patients and staff are “paying the price”.
He said: “These latest figures are a scandal. A&E waiting times are at their worst ever. Doctor numbers are low compared with most of Europe. Targets have been dropped or missed.”
Shadow Health Minister and Conservative AM Angela Burnsadded that the figures “show a Welsh Labour Government unable to cope with a crisis it has created, and one it seemingly cannot solve”.
She said: “Month in, month out, generally increasingly worse figures are published. Each month, the Health Minister is pressed to take action, and each month he fails to do so.”
Darren Hughes, director of the Welsh NHS Confederation, said: “There can be no doubt in anyone’s mind those working on the frontline in health and social care are showing extraordinary resilience and determination to give everyone the highest standard of care they can.
“However, we are still seeing record numbers of people spending more than 12 hours in A&E, which is disappointing, but also points to many people coming to our hospitals with complex needs.
“The public can really help by using the right health service for their needs – A&E must only be used in an emergency. For example, local pharmacies can provide advice and treatment for common ailments such as coughs and colds.”
The Welsh Government acknowledged that too many people are spending long periods in emergency departments while waiting for a hospital bed. A spokesman said an extra £40m had been made available to the Welsh NHS over the winter and this would help tackle waiting times.