January A&E figures record high, BBC reports

Figures reported by the BBC show that the number of patients spending more than four hours in accident and emergency units in England are at a record high.

According to the data, January was shown to be the worst performing month since the four-hour target was introduced, with record numbers of people waiting longer than 12 hours for a hospital bed after being seen in A&E.

The statistics come from a document compiled by NHS Improvement, which shows: 82 per cent of patients in A&E - rather than the target 95 per cent - were transferred, admitted or discharged within four hours; more than than 60,000 people waited between four and 12 hours in A&E for a hospital bed, after a decision to admit, known as a ‘trolley wait’; more than 780 people waited for more than 12 hours for a bed.

The data demonstrates the worst monthly figures since the four-hour target was introduced in 2004.

Dr Chris Moulton, vice-president, of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said: "While increasing numbers of doctors is vital, the more pressing problem is a lack of beds. We simply do not have any more room to put patients - we have the lowest number of acute beds per capita in Europe.

"As a result, bed occupancy is at dangerous levels and exit block is putting lives at risk."

Jim Mackey, chief executive of NHS Improvement, commented: “Such intense pressure on emergency services has had a real impact on elective services and patients are having to wait longer for non-emergency treatment, and this is also adding to the financial pressures being felt by NHS providers.”

"Even with these pressures, the NHS continues to outperform health systems in other major nations."

A spokesperson from the Department of Health said: "We do not recognise these figures - it is irresponsible to publish unverified data and does a disservice to all NHS staff working tirelessly to provide care around the clock."