NHS Trusts treating more patients in the face of growing demand
11 May 2017
- NHS England publish performance data for March 2017
- For the first time more than half a million patients were admitted to hospital as an emergency, with attendance at A&E at historic highs
- We say figures show the scale of the pressure trusts are up against and that demands remain unsustainable
NHS England has published the monthly performance statistics for March 2017.
They show NHS trusts are responding to unprecedented pressures.
- For the first time in a calendar month, more than half a million patients were admitted to hospital as an emergency
- Attendances at A & E were at historically high levels
- The number of people starting routine hospital treatment rose 4.7 per cent compared with the preceding twelve month period
- The total number of delayed transfers of care – nearly 200,000 delayed days – was the second highest on record
Responding to the figures, the director of policy and strategy at NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery, said:
“These figures show once again the scale of the pressures NHS trusts are up against. But they also show the NHS is doing an outstanding job in continuing to deliver care for patients – often in very difficult circumstances.
“More than two million people came to A & E – one of the highest figures on record. For the first time, emergency admissions rose above half a million. Yet performance against the four-hour target in A & E was better than in March 2016.
“The sharp rise in routine hospital treatments is another sign that the NHS is rising to the challenge – helping more patients, despite the pressures.
These figures show once again the scale of the pressures NHS trusts are up against.
“It is worrying that delayed transfers of care are close to record levels, and the proportion attributable to social care continues to grow.
“It is also a serious concern that the 62 day cancer treatment target was not met in any month during 2016/17.
“The demands NHS trusts face are unsustainable. But they are doing all they can to provide the best possible service for patients.”