Wednesday, 9 January 2013

The CQC Found Waiting Times Increased Last Year



A survey recently conducted by the CQC demonstrates that patients are now waiting longer to see a doctor or nurse in NHS A&E departments across England. A survey was conducted, collecting the experiences of almost 46,000 people who had received care in A&E departments throughout 2012. The results showed;


-        1/3rd of respondents waited more than 30 minutes before they saw a doctor or nurse (an increase from the 29% position reported in 2008, and 24% reported in 2004)

-        1/3rd of respondents also stated that they waited more than 4 hours to be seen (an increase from 27% in 2008, and 23% in 2004)

-        Almost 25% of respondents who arrived at A&E via an ambulance said they had to wait more than 15 minutes before their care was transferred from the ambulance team across to the A&E clinical team

However, the results also illustrated that patients felt significantly more confidence in the A&E staff; claiming that doctors definitely listened to them, that medication requirements were explained to them, and that reception staff enabled them to discuss their conditions or symptoms in a private environment.


Image by KateJones365, Flickr

No comments: