Hearings over A&E waiting times

Irregularities were found in the recording of performance

Two employees at a Merseyside hospital are facing disciplinary hearings after irregularities were found in the recording of waiting times.

Bosses at Arrowe Park Hospital, Wirral, launched an investigation in July after concerns were raised about A&E figures.

Two workers were suspended without prejudice, Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said.

They now face hearings in October to determine whether there has been any wrongdoing, the trust said.

Government policy states A&E patients should be seen within four hours.

It is for the disciplinary panel to determine, when it meets, whether there has been any wrongdoing Len Richards, trust chief executive

Len Richards, chief executive of the trust, said: "The investigation has found that there were irregularities in the recording of performance towards the end of 2008/09.

"The two members of staff who were suspended without prejudice during the investigation remain as such until disciplinary hearings have taken place, probably in the first half of October.

"I should stress that suspension without prejudice is a neutral act.

"It is for the disciplinary panel to determine, when it meets, whether there has been any wrongdoing.

"The panel comprises a trust non-executive director, our director of human resources, me and an independent member from outside the trust."