Tremendous achievement on performance targets - McGimpsey
Thursday, 17 April 2008Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said that staff across the health and social care service should be proud of their efforts to meet tough performance targets.
Announcing the outcome of the March 2008 targets, the minister said the majority of targets had been met and in all cases there had been significant improvements in performance.
There were particularly good performances by trusts in relation to the challenging targets for outpatient assessment, diagnostics and treatment. The target to reduce waiting times for physiotherapy, occupational therapy and other services provided by Allied Health Professional was met by all trusts. Targets for the resettlement of long-stay patients from learning disability hospitals and for increasing the number of foster carers were also met.
He said: “I know that staff at every level made a huge effort for which they are to be congratulated, particularly during a year of such organisational change. The improvement in performance over the last few years has been remarkable. Only two years ago, there were 110,000 people waiting more than 13 weeks for a first outpatient appointment, today this has reduced to only a handful of patients. In the same period the number of patients more than 21 weeks for surgery has fallen from 10,000 to just 56 people.
“The improvement in A&E performance is perhaps the most remarkable – without any major new money, we have all but eliminated long trolley waits. Across Northern Ireland 92% of patients were waiting less than four hours in A&E units by the end of March. This is a significant achievement which shows the real benefits of teams in trusts working with focus, sharing improved practice and cooperative working across the health and social care service.
“Most importantly this is leading to a better service for thousands of patients and clients which has been achieved alongside sustained commitment to improving quality and safety and ensuring sound financial management.”
Ambulance response times have improved significantly in the last 12 months, from 55% of emergency calls being responded to within eight minutes to 68%. Although performance was slightly below the target level of 70%, this was a considerable improvement in light of the 10% increase in demand for ambulance services during the year.
Turning to the trusts’ performance against the fracture target the minister said: “Last August, only 50% fracture patients were treated within 48 hours. I set a challenging target that by March 2008, 75% of patients would be treated within 48 hours – the only part of the UK to set such a target. Today across Northern Ireland some 74% of fractures are treated within two days – this is a remarkable achievement.
“This transformation in performance has been achieved through the introduction of a comprehensive reform programme, led by my department, to create a more responsive, effective and efficient health and social care service.
“The targets were very challenging and I will soon be setting even tougher goals which will require an even greater effort by staff. I urge them to work hard to meet the new targets so that we can achieve the world-class health service the public deserves.”
Notes to Editors:
1. Media queries to Clare Baxter, DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0636 or mobile 07919 400248.
2. Target achievements at end of March 2008
Outpatients – Target: 13 weeks for first outpatient appointment
At 1 April 2007, 22,215 patients were waiting longer than 13 weeks for a first outpatient appointment, this was reduced to 55 at the end of March 2008.
Inpatient/daycase – Target: 21 weeks for surgery
At April 2007, 1,982 patients were waiting longer than 21 weeks for inpatient/daycase treatment. By March 2008 this was reduced to 56.
Diagnostics – Target: 13 weeks for diagnostic test (eg MRI scan)
At June 2007, 7,649 patients were waiting longer than 13 weeks for a diagnostic test. By March 2008 this was reduced to zero.
Allied Health Professionals – Target: 26 weeks
At October 2007 3,545 patients were waiting longer than 26 weeks for AHP services. By March 2008 this was reduced to zero.
A&E – Target: 95% of patients to be seen within four hours
At April 2007, across Northern Ireland some 81% of patients were seen within four hours. By March 2008, this had increased to 92%. Individual Trust performance in March 2008 was as follows:
Belfast Trust – 90%
Northern Trust – 91%
South-Eastern Trust – 94%
Southern Trust – 95%
Western Trust – 93%
Complex discharge – Target: All patients discharged within 72 hours
Complex discharges include those patients with ongoing medical conditions which mean they will have to be discharged to a nursing or residential home, or discharged to their own home when a suitable care package is in place.
At April 2007, across Northern Ireland 58% of complex patients were discharged within four hours. By March 2008, this had increased to 87%.
Belfast Trust – 73%
Northern Trust – 98%
South Eastern Trust – 87%
Southern Trust – 94%
Western Trust – 86%
Non complex discharge – Target: All patients discharged within 6 hours
Non-complex discharges involve those patients who are ready to return home as soon as their hospital treatment is complete.
By March 2008, 96% of non-complex patients were discharged within six hours.
Belfast Trust – 96%
Northern Trust - 99%
South Eastern Trust – 95%
Southern Trust – 96%
Western Trust – 96%
Fractures – Target: 75% of fractures treated within 48 hours during March
In August 2007, only 51% of fractures were treated within 48 hours across Northern Ireland.
By March 2008, this figure had increased to 74%.
Belfast Trust – 63%
Northern Trust – not applicable
South-Eastern Trust – 81%
Southern Trust – 67%
Western Trust – 99%
Foster care – Target: An additional 175 foster carers across all trusts
Across Northern Ireland the number of foster carers increased by 225.
Learning disability – Target: 40 patients to be resettled in the community by March 2008
Across Northern Ireland, 41 long-stay patients were resettled from learning disability hospitals by March 2008.
Northern Ireland Ambulance Service – Target: 70% of Category A calls within 8 minutes during March 2008
The number of category A calls responded to within 8 minutes increased from 55% in April 2007 to 68% in March 2008.
Cancer – targets: 98% of patients diagnosed with cancer should start treatment within 31 days and at least 75% of patients urgently referred with a suspected cancer should being first treatment within 62 days.
End of year performance information will not be available until May.
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