Welsh A+Es outperform England

Over 80% of Welsh patients see a doctor within an hour

Waiting times in accident and emergency departments in UK hospitals are getting worse but Wales is performing better than any region in England.

The Audit Commission report published on Thursday reveals that nearly 85% of patients are seen by a doctor within the hour in Wales compared with just 30% in London.

Jane Hutt has welcomed the report findings

Figures show an overall picture of fewer patients being seen by a doctor within an hour, and it is taking longer for patients to be admitted to wards from A&E.

Speaking about the situation in Wales, Welsh Assembly Health Minister Jane Hutt said that despite being under constant pressure, it was clear casualty units are providing patients with "prompt and efficient care".

"This is good news for Welsh A&E departments and for patients," she said.

"The assembly's Innovations in Care programme is funding a number of ambitious and forward thinking initiatives within A&E departments across Wales."

Bro Morgannwg Trust has been awarded a grant of £170,000 to set up a unit including a consultant, nurse practitioner and support staff which can fast track certain patients.

I cannot see the logic in spending even more private work through the NHS

David Hinchcliffe, Labour MP

A further £343, 000 has also been provided for a similar scheme in Swansea to speed up A&E times.

The publication of the Audit Commission's report comes at a time when the government has been criticised by MPs to boost private operations on the NHS.

It is believed that the ambitious project to buy up 25,000 extra operations from the private sector risked tying up NHS staff unnecessarily.

Health Secretary Alan Milburn announced the plan as part of a £100m package to reduce waiting times in England's accident and emergency departments.

Deterioration

Senior Labour MP, David Hinchcliffe, who is chair of the Commons Health Select Committee.

He said: "Bearing in mind the fact that one of the reasons for lengthy NHS waiting lists in certain specialities is the amount of time many NHS part-time consultants spend on private work, I cannot see the logic in spending even more private work through the NHS."

More than 15 million people attend A&E departments in England and Wales every year, far more than come into contact with any other hospital service.

Waiting times have been increasing since they were first measured by the commission in 1996 and the rate of deterioration has increased since 1998.