Demand on Accident and Emergency services continues to impact on waiting times

30/06/2010

Northern Ireland’s Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, said that increasing demand on Accident and Emergency (A&E) services continues to impact on waiting time targets.

The Minister was speaking as validated figures for emergency care waiting times for May 2010 were published. The figures showed that over four in five (82.8%) patients were either treated and discharged or admitted within four hours of their arrival in an A&E Department during May 2010. This compares to 82.8% in April 2010 and 79.8% in March 2010. In addition, 662 patients waited longer than 12 hours across all A&E Departments, compared to 633 in April 2010 and 1,239 in March 2010.

The figures showed a continued increase in the number of people attending A&E departments, with over 1,000 more attendances in May, compared to April. A total of 63,479 people attended A&E Departments during May 2010, compared to 62,378 in April 2010 and 61,038 in March 2010.

Michael McGimpsey said:

"While over 80% of patients were seen within the four hour target in May, there are still people having to wait longer than 12 hours in A&E units, which is not acceptable. I expect trusts to meet the targets that have been set.

“These figures show a continued increase in the number of people attending A&E. In fact, attendance levels for May represent the highest volume of A&E attendances since May 2008.

“I commend trusts on their continued hard work and drive to meet waiting time targets, in the face of very challenging circumstances and within very limited resources. Today’s figures yet again demonstrate the importance of investing in our health service and I will continue to press for much needed extra funding to meet rising demand.”

The Minister took the opportunity to remind people of the importance of making proper use of A&E services. He said:

“A&E services are for emergency situations. Cuts, bruises and sprains are generally regarded as minor injuries and are not normally considered to be emergencies.

“People who have concerns about an ongoing health problem or a minor injury should in the first instance contact their GP, out of hours service or local minor injuries unit.

“Minor injuries services are widely available across Northern Ireland with units at the Tyrone County, Mid Ulster, Whiteabbey, South Tyrone, Armagh, Ards and Bangor hospitals. The medical staff who work in these units are able to deal with the vast majority of conditions seen in A&E departments.”