Emergency care waiting time statistics (May 2010)

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety today published statistics on the time waiting in Accident and Emergency (A&E) Departments within Northern Ireland during the month of May 2010.

The statistical bulletin presents information on all new attendances and unplanned re-attendances during May 2010. It also details the performance of each HSC Trust and hospital against the Priorities for Action (PfA) target.

Key Points - May 2010

The key findings presented in the statistics release are listed below.

• Over four in five (82.8%) patients were either treated and discharged or admitted within four hours of their arrival in an A&E Department during May 2010, compared to 82.8% in April 2010 and 79.8% in March 2010 (Tables 1 and 4);
• In May 2010, 662 patients waited longer than 12 hours across all A&E Departments, compared to 633 in April 2010 and 1,239 in March 2010 (Tables 1 and 4);
• There were a total of 63,479 attendances at A&E Departments for the month of May 2010, compared to 62,378 in April 2010 and 61,038 in March 2010 (Table 3).

The information release is published on the DHSSPS website.

Notes to editors:

1. This information is collected monthly using the Emergency Care (EC1) information return. The EC1 return records all New Attendances and Unplanned Re-Attendances in each A&E Department across Northern Ireland.

2. The figures represent the total time spent in a hospital emergency care Department from arrival until admission, transfer or discharge. All ‘New Attendances’ and all ‘Unplanned Re-Attendances’ at Emergency Care Departments with a departure time, per calendar month are included. They do not include planned follow-up attendances.

3. The PfA target states that, from April 2010, 95% of patients attending any A&E department are either treated and discharged home, or admitted, within four hours of their arrival in the department, and that no patient should wait longer than 12 hours in A&E.

4. The waiting time clock starts when a patient arrives into the Emergency Care site; the time of arrival is recorded at registration or triage whichever is earlier. The waiting time clock stops when the patient departs the Emergency Care Department. The time of departure is defined as when the patient's clinical care episode is completed within the Emergency Care Department.

5. Figures incorporate all returns and amendments received from HSC Trusts up to 24 June 2010.

6. Further information on Emergency Care Statistics is available from:

Hospital Information Branch
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Annexe 2, Castle Buildings
Stormont, BT4 3SQ

Tel: 028 9052 2504

Fax: 028 9052 3288

Email:

Internet:

7. Media enquiries to DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0074. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.