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| A&E waits 'highest for a decade' | A&E waits 'highest for a decade' |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| By Nick Triggle Health correspondent, BBC News | By Nick Triggle Health correspondent, BBC News |
| The number of people in England facing long A&E waits has risen by a fifth in a year - and is now at its highest level for a decade, a report suggests. | The number of people in England facing long A&E waits has risen by a fifth in a year - and is now at its highest level for a decade, a report suggests. |
| The King's Fund review found from October to December 2012 more than 232,000 patients waited more than four hours. | The King's Fund review found from October to December 2012 more than 232,000 patients waited more than four hours. |
| That is a rise of 21% compared with the same period in 2011 and the highest figure for those months since 2003. | That is a rise of 21% compared with the same period in 2011 and the highest figure for those months since 2003. |
| A&E doctors blamed a combination of rising pressures and staff shortages. | A&E doctors blamed a combination of rising pressures and staff shortages. |
| The number is still within the government's target. | The number is still within the government's target. |
| A&E units only have to see 95% of patients within four hours, to reflect the fact that some flexibility is needed to allow doctors to prioritise the patients with the greatest need. The 232,000 figure represents 4.3% of patients. | A&E units only have to see 95% of patients within four hours, to reflect the fact that some flexibility is needed to allow doctors to prioritise the patients with the greatest need. The 232,000 figure represents 4.3% of patients. |
| The think-tank also found evidence of patients who needed to be admitted on to a ward being left on trolleys for long periods of time. | The think-tank also found evidence of patients who needed to be admitted on to a ward being left on trolleys for long periods of time. |
| The report - part of the King's Fund quarterly update on NHS performance - also found a growing number of finance directors were concerned about budgets. | The report - part of the King's Fund quarterly update on NHS performance - also found a growing number of finance directors were concerned about budgets. |
| 'Growing worries' | 'Growing worries' |
| But there was some positive news. | But there was some positive news. |
| It said waits for non-emergency hospital operations were holding steady, while infection rates were falling. | It said waits for non-emergency hospital operations were holding steady, while infection rates were falling. |
| Nonetheless, report author Prof John Appleby said: "The NHS faces unprecedented pressures and there are growing worries that patient care will suffer." | Nonetheless, report author Prof John Appleby said: "The NHS faces unprecedented pressures and there are growing worries that patient care will suffer." |
| College of Emergency Medicine president Mike Clancy added: "The report mirrors the experiences being relayed to us by our members. | College of Emergency Medicine president Mike Clancy added: "The report mirrors the experiences being relayed to us by our members. |
| "It is clear to us that emergency departments are under pressure and we are concerned about the impact on patients. | "It is clear to us that emergency departments are under pressure and we are concerned about the impact on patients. |
| "A significant contributor to the situation is the workforce crisis." | "A significant contributor to the situation is the workforce crisis." |
| But Health Minister Lord Howe said: "We have been absolutely clear that the NHS must find the efficiencies needed to deal with increased demand on the service without compromising on patient care and services. | But Health Minister Lord Howe said: "We have been absolutely clear that the NHS must find the efficiencies needed to deal with increased demand on the service without compromising on patient care and services. |
| "We expect the NHS to look seriously at how it can improve how care is provided." | "We expect the NHS to look seriously at how it can improve how care is provided." |
| Have you been affected by long waits in A&E? You can share your experience using the form below. |