Over 3,000 people waited more than four hours to be admitted, transferred, or discharged at Milton Keynes University Hospital’s A&E unit in just one month.
August’s NHS figures show that 74% of people were seen within four hours, which is well below the 95% target.
Across the country, nearly a third (27%) of patients waited at A&E for more than four hours – with this rising to more than half in some parts of the country.
This comes as the NHS is under an “alarming” amount of stress. NHS Providers’ Miriam Deakin confirmed to a national newspaper this week that “demand continues to outstrip capacity” due to a shortage of staff, beds and equipment. She also highlighted the need for “proper investment in the NHS estate, social care, and more preventative support”.
Responding to the latest figures, Councillor Jane Carr, Lib Dem Progressive Alliance Cabinet Member for Public Health, said:
“Sadly it isn’t a surprise that thousands of people are waiting hours to be seen at our local A&E. NHS doctors, nurses and staff work tirelessly to provide the care that our residents need but they can only do so much. Whether it be staggering A&E wait times, lengthy ambulance response times or year-long queues for routine treatment, our NHS is in crisis and the Government simply isn’t doing enough.”
Councillor Emily Darlington, Labour Progressive Alliance Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities, added:
“The longer the Conservatives are in power, the longer people in Milton Keynes will wait for care. This Government were happy to clap for carers, but when it comes to meaningful support for our NHS heroes they are nowhere to be seen. Over 13 years they have utterly failed to give our brilliant local NHS staff the tools and support they need to provide the care we should all be able to rely on.”
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