MORE patients visited A&E in Hereford last month – but attendances were lower than over the same period last year, figures reveal.

Latest NHS England figures show that 5,976 patients visited A&E at Wye Valley NHS Trust in March.

That was a rise of 14 per cent on the 5,234 visits recorded during February, but 1 per cent lower than the 6,062 patients seen in March 2022.

RELATED NEWS:

The figures show attendances were above the levels seen two years ago. In March 2021, there were 5,099 visits to A&E departments run by the Wye Valley Trust.

All last month's attendances were via major A&E departments – those with full resuscitation equipment and 24-hour consultant-led care.

Overall, a total of 55 per cent of arrivals were seen within four hours, against an NHS target of 95 per cent. That is an improvement of January's figures, when Wye Valley was ranked the second worst trust in the country for A&E waiting times. Data during that month revealed that 53.5 per cent of patients attending A&E in Herefordshire waited four hours or less.

OTHER NEWS:

Meanwhile, 362 patients waited longer than four hours for treatment following a decision to admit (6 per cent of patients), while, of those, 263 were delayed by more than 12 hours. The latter statistic places Wye Valley 14th in the list of all NHS Trusts that have been ranked. 

Jessica Morris, Nuffield Trust fellow, said the data depicts a "troublesome situation for NHS recovery" as junior doctor strikes cause disruptions this week.

She said: "There is also a risk that the people who need treatment most urgently are not being effectively prioritised and this could lead to worsening conditions and a greater need for care further down the line.”

Professor Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director for England, added: “The last few months have been demanding for the NHS as record numbers of patients have come forward for care on top of hugely disruptive strike action.

Mr Powis said the data shows demand on services is not relenting with A&E attendances and ambulance call-outs at the highest level so far this year.

“So while there is no let-up for services – and with almost 48 hours of strike action still to go – it remains as vital as ever that the public continue to come forward for care when they need it, using 999 in an emergency and using 111 online and making use of the expertise of pharmacies, GPs and community services for less urgent needs,” he said.