Number of patients waiting four hours in A&E soars by a third, shocking stats reveal

THE number of patients waiting longer than four hours in A&E has risen by a third in a year, NHS figures show.

Last month 275,526 spent more than four hours in casualty before being treated, up 32.4 per cent from last July.

2

That is also the highest number for July since records began in 2010. Of those, 436 waited more than 12 hours, up 192.6 per cent.

A record 2,266,913 visited A&E amid scorching heat.

The previous highest was 2,179,896 last July.

2

NHS England said: “Doctors, nurses, paramedics and other staff have pulled out all the stops to deal with the record heat and record number of attendees.” But the Society for Acute Medicine slammed the Government.

President Dr Nick Scriven said: “This broken record has been playing for so long. Political spin is back with massive funding announcements while the issues on the ground remain unaddressed.”

most read in health

PREGNANCY PREVENTION

Get the lowdown on female sterilisation, from how it works to whether or not it is reversible

WEIGHTY ISSUE

Size 18 mum says she lost SEVEN STONE while she was pregnant by going on a juice diet... but is it healthy?

CHEST WHAT THE DOC ORDERED

Want to boost your body confidence and add sizzle to a soggy love life? Then it's time to bin the bikini top like these celebs

JANE ATKINSON

We test alcohol-free alternatives loved by DJ Calvin Harris and Brad Pitt to help you give up booze

The statistics also show the NHS missed waiting list and cancer treatment targets.

Tim Gardner, of the Health Foundation charity, said: “The new PM has identified reducing NHS waiting times as one of his key priorities, but today’s statistics show there is a mountain to climb.”

GOT a news story? RING us on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]