News / Targets missed as demand continues to surge

The figures show emergency admissions were up 2.8% compared with the previous April and 2.9% higher over the year to April compared with the previous 12 months.

A&E attendances were 4% higher in April compared with the previous April and 2.6% higher compared with the previous 12 months. There was a slight improvement on performance against the four-hour A&E target since March – while 90% of patients were admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours, the figure rose to 90.5% in April. However, the 95% standard has not been achieved since July 2015.

Elective referrals were up 5.2% for the last 12 months compared with the preceding 12-month period, while 89.9% of patients had been waiting less than 18 weeks – failing to meet the 92% standard. Five of the eight cancer standards were met – in March six were met – with the NHS failing to achieve the 85% standard on 62-day cancer waiting times; the 93% target for two-week referral for patients with breast symptoms (where cancer is not initially suspected); and the 93% standard for two-week referral to outpatient appointment for patients with suspected cancer.

There were slightly more delayed transfers of care bed days than in April 2016 with a daily average of 5,905 delayed beds in April 2017 compared with 5,601 in April 2016.

NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson (pictured) said the NHS was doing its best to address the activity pressures.

‘These figures show there has been no respite for the NHS. The concerns about the ability of the health service to respond to growing demand – which became so pressing during the winter – are still with us,’ he said.

‘It is clear that trusts are continuing to do all they can. But it is equally clear the situation is unsustainable. Despite political uncertainty, we need urgent decisions to ensure the NHS has the capacity to deal with the coming winter, and beyond that, to respond to longer term pressures.’