This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Hunt doubtful over A&E four-hour target
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has suggested to the House of Commons patients with less urgent care needs should not need to be guaranteed to be seen within four hours at A&E units.
Hunt maintained that while the government was committed to keeping the four hour target, if the standard was to be ‘protected’ it might need to be applied to only those patients with urgent needs rather than minor problems.
The news comes after hospitals have reported unprecedented pressures this winter.
Sources from the Department of Health have assured there were no immediate plans to change the target.
Hunt said: “This government is committed to maintaining and delivering that vital four-hour commitment to patients.
"But since it was announced in 2000, there are nearly nine million more visits to our A&E, up to 30 per cent of whom, NHS England estimate, do not need to be there, and the tide is continuing to rise.
"So if we are going to protect our four-hour standard, we need to be clear it is a promise to sort out all urgent health problems within four hours - but not all health problems, however minor."
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