• NHS England publishes monthly combined performance data covering accident and emergency departments for April 19 and RTT and cancer target performance for March 19.
• Performance against the 4-hour standard is 85.1%. It has fallen to 77.2% for type 1 major A&E departments.
• There was been a drop in A&E performance between March and April for the first time in 4 years.
• Fewer people were seen within 18 weeks for routine operations in March with performance slipping further to 86.2% against the 92% standard.

Responding to the latest monthly NHS performance figures from NHS England, the director or policy and strategy at NHS Providers, Miriam Deakin said:

“NHS staff are caring for more patients than ever, with a significant rise in the number of patients seeking emergency care than this time last year.  However, the latest figures show that although there has traditionally been an improvement against the four hour standard between March and April, in fact, performance has dropped with some A&E departments under real pressure.

“These figures also show that more patients are now waiting longer for routine operations and referrals for cancer treatment.

Although there has traditionally been an improvement against the four hour standard between March and April, in fact, performance has dropped with some A&E departments under real pressure.

Miriam Deakin    

“The mismatch between the capacity in the system and rising demand for services is plain to see. This is compounded by workforce pressures not just in hospitals but in the wider health and care system which can mean emergency care is often the only option.

“It has been clear for some time now that “winter pressures” are now a year-round phenomenon. While debate continues around changes to key performance targets, we also need to urgently address the gap between resources and ever-rising demand.”