Sandwell Hospital: 3,000 patients face four-hour A&E wait in one month

The statistics released by Sandwell’s NHS Trust show 3,377 patients in February endured waits of more than fours, which is the national target for hospitals to meet.

Trust chiefs apologised for the delays but said ‘every effort is being taken to meet the national emergency care quality standard’.

But a Sandwell councillor who is a member of a health scrutiny committee blamed the impact of NHS spending cuts for the delays.

A hospital report, released by Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, said 79.82 per cent of patients were seen in four hours, below the trust’s target to see 90 per cent of patients in four hours.

Chief operating officer Rachel Barlow said: “We are sorry that patients have waited longer than we would want to receive a diagnosis, discharge or admission.

“All patients are clinically assessed within minutes to reaching us, and are then treated in priority order based on clinical need.

“We now have the ability to help patients see a GP if that is more suitable for their needs after assessment.

"We are working hard to support staff to be able to see patients safely faster, investing in the best equipment, and in staff development to retain skills in our teams.

"Every effort is being taken to improve further and we will not be deflected from our aim to meet the national emergency care quality standard.”

Another trust in the Black Country also failed to meet the four hour target for A&E waiting times.

At Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley, 2,498 patients had to wait more than four hours bringing the overall amount to 68 per cent.

Sandwell councillor Bob Lloyd, a member of the council’s Health Scrutiny Board, said the figures showed the impact government cuts are having on NHS resources.

“I would imagine the shortage of staff has contributed to these figures,” he said. With the cuts to the NHS nationally, this is where it impacts.”