A&E experience is now the worst on record as damning research reveals that a third of NHS patients wait more than an hour just to speak to a doctor or nurse, while nearly a fifth wait more than FOUR hours to be investigated
- Three-quarters of those in the emergency room were also not told how long they would wait
Patient experience with A&E is now the worst ever recorded amid rising waiting times, a scathing study by the hospital regulator has revealed.
The Care Quality Commission surveyed more than 36,000 people in England in September 2022 who have used NHS urgent and urgent care services.
It found waiting times increased significantly in just two years, with 32 percent of patients waiting more than an hour in the emergency room to see a doctor or nurse, compared to 15 percent in 2020.
The share who said they waited more than four hours to be examined in the emergency department more than quadrupled from 4 percent in 2020 to 17 percent.
Three-quarters (76 percent) of those in the emergency room were also not told how long they would wait, the study found. Meanwhile, it has become more difficult to get help from a doctor or nurse when needed at any point during an ER visit.
High call volumes and GP shortages are forcing more patients to use ER, according to the Care Quality Commission (stock photo)
Wait times have increased significantly over the past two years: 32 percent of patients wait more than an hour in the emergency room to see a doctor or nurse (stock photo)
Potential patients who said they could get help ‘always’ fell from 58 percent in 2020 to 45 percent.
In the poll, 37 percent of people who used an emergency room and 53 percent of people who used an emergency treatment center said it was the first place they visited. The CQC previously warned that high call volumes and staff shortages in NHS 111 and a shortage of GP and dental appointments are forcing more patients into A&E.
The proportion who felt they were treated with respect and dignity also fell to 72 percent, from 81 percent in 2020.
Dr. Sean O’Kelly, Chief Superintendent of Healthcare at the CQC, said: ‘These latest survey responses show how the escalating demand for urgent and urgent care is both impacting the patient experience and increasing staff pressure to unsustainable levels.
“We can’t afford to ignore the long-term decline in things like wait times, information provided when people go home, access to pain relief and emotional support.”
A spokesman for NHS England said: ‘Since this study was carried out, NHS staff have delivered significant performance improvements with faster ambulance response times and a greater number of patients being seen in the emergency room within four hours in June – this despite unprecedented levels of demand, pressure on patient flow and industrial action.
“These findings also demonstrate how patients value the hard work and care of staff, with the vast majority of respondents trusting health professionals and we will continue to work with local services to implement actions outlined in our emergency recovery plan. and emergency care to improve the patient experience and increase capacity for winter.”