Figures released by the Assembly government reveal that nearly 8,500 people waited more than four hours in Welsh A&E departments during December 2008.
Nearly 1,700 of those patients had to wait more than eight hours. Government set targets were not achieved at the all-Wales level and no NHS Trust met either the four hour or the eight hour target.
Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Minister, Peter Black AM, said:
“These figures show that the Welsh NHS is not coping. It is totally unacceptable that people should have to wait more than eight hours to be seen in an Accident and Emergency unit.
“We hear terrible stories about people having to wait on trolley beds in hospital corridors and people having to wait for hours to receive medical treatment. Surely this is no way for patients to be treated in Wales.
“From November to December, the percentage of people waiting more than the four hour target increased. Whilst I accept that December is a busy period for A&E units, the Health Minister knows this and should have prepared for it.
“NHS Accident and Emergency staff provide an incredible service to those people who need immediate medical treatment; however something must be done to ease the pressure in hospitals so that people don’t have to wait agonisingly long hours.
“Overstretched A&E departments also play a big part in the crisis in the Ambulance Service as paramedics are forced to queue outside hospitals to hand patient into the care of A&E.
“I want to see the Assembly government introduce nurse-led walk-in centres, working alongside larger A&E departments and G.P. out of hours services – open seven days a week and offering simple and straightforward access to treatment for those who might otherwise go to A&E units.
“Labour and Plaid have failed to prioritise the core parts of the NHS and have chosen to waste their money on vote winning gimmicks instead.”
The Annual Operating Framework (AOF) for the NHS in Wales for 2008-09 includes a national target that states: “95% of new patients spending no more than four hours in a major A and E department from arrival until admission, transfer or discharge Patients spend no longer than eight hours for admission transfer or discharge.”
Stats can be found here.
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