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A&E waits in England 'getting worse' A&E waits in England 'getting worse'
(35 minutes later)
Waiting times in A&E units in England have got even worse in the New Year, figures show.Waiting times in A&E units in England have got even worse in the New Year, figures show.
The last three months of 2014 saw performance drop to its lowest level for a decade with just 92.6% of patients seen in four hours.The last three months of 2014 saw performance drop to its lowest level for a decade with just 92.6% of patients seen in four hours.
The data for the week up to Sunday saw 86.7% of patients seen in four hours. The target is 95%.The data for the week up to Sunday saw 86.7% of patients seen in four hours. The target is 95%.
Elsewhere in the UK the four-hour waiting time target is being missed.Elsewhere in the UK the four-hour waiting time target is being missed.
It comes as a number of hospitals have declared "major incidents" in recent weeks.It comes as a number of hospitals have declared "major incidents" in recent weeks.
This signifies they are facing exceptional pressures and triggers extra staff being called in and other steps, including cancelling non-emergency care, such as routine operations.This signifies they are facing exceptional pressures and triggers extra staff being called in and other steps, including cancelling non-emergency care, such as routine operations.
The latest waiting time figure is the worst since weekly recording began in 2010. The last four weeks have all been the four worst ever recorded.The latest waiting time figure is the worst since weekly recording began in 2010. The last four weeks have all been the four worst ever recorded.
Private pull-outPrivate pull-out
The overall figure includes walk-in centres and minor injury units, once they are stripped out the performance of major A&E units has dipped below 80%.The overall figure includes walk-in centres and minor injury units, once they are stripped out the performance of major A&E units has dipped below 80%.
Data has also been published showing other pressures inside hospitals.Data has also been published showing other pressures inside hospitals.
Over the past four weeks, compared to the same period last year, the following has happened in England:Over the past four weeks, compared to the same period last year, the following has happened in England:
Dr Sarah Pinto-Duschinsky, of NHS England, said: "The NHS continues to face unprecedented pressures on its frontline services.Dr Sarah Pinto-Duschinsky, of NHS England, said: "The NHS continues to face unprecedented pressures on its frontline services.
"Flu is now at its highest peak for the last three winters. This means the NHS will continue to be under pressure for the next few weeks.""Flu is now at its highest peak for the last three winters. This means the NHS will continue to be under pressure for the next few weeks."
The release of the data comes on the day the private firm Circle announced it was pulling out of the contract to run Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Cambridgeshire.The release of the data comes on the day the private firm Circle announced it was pulling out of the contract to run Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Cambridgeshire.
It was the first private firm to take over the running of an entire hospital when the contract started in 2012.It was the first private firm to take over the running of an entire hospital when the contract started in 2012.
The firm blamed the rising pressures on the health system, including on A&E. Although the Care Quality Commission has carried out an inspection. The report is yet to be published, but is expected to be critical.The firm blamed the rising pressures on the health system, including on A&E. Although the Care Quality Commission has carried out an inspection. The report is yet to be published, but is expected to be critical.
The Department of Health said it was "disappointed" in the decision.The Department of Health said it was "disappointed" in the decision.
On A&E, the data in the other nations lags a bit behind England. In Wales, the data from November shows just 83.8% of patients were seen in time.On A&E, the data in the other nations lags a bit behind England. In Wales, the data from November shows just 83.8% of patients were seen in time.
Northern Ireland is performing even worse - just over 80% of patients were seen within four hours in November.Northern Ireland is performing even worse - just over 80% of patients were seen within four hours in November.
Scotland has a slightly tougher waiting time target - 98% of patients should be seen in four hours - but in September 93.5% were.Scotland has a slightly tougher waiting time target - 98% of patients should be seen in four hours - but in September 93.5% were.
Comparing the September figures for England and Scotland shows England was performing slightly better in that month.Comparing the September figures for England and Scotland shows England was performing slightly better in that month.
Have you recently visited an A&E? What was your experience?
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