Barnsley Hospital’s A&E “continued to miss” four-hour waiting time target

A report to BMBC's overview and scrutiny committee states that high bed occupancy, care home closures and reduced capacity in community services are all impacting the department's target to see patients in A&E within four hours.

NHS data shows that in March, 3,167 A&E patients were not seen within the four-hour target – 35 per cent of all patients who attended the department that month.

“A&E 4-hour performance continues to be below the target and has been impacted by significantly increased activity levels and challenges with flow,” states the report.

“Barnsley is seeing high levels of urgent and emergency care across physical and mental health which is further evidence of harms caused by COVID through increased isolation, loneliness, physical deconditioning and fear and anxiety.

“High bed occupancy, care home closures and reduced capacity in community services are contributing factors.”

Other “severe” pressures outlined in the report include increasing ambulance handover times, delayed transfers of care and out-of-area placements for mental health crisis.

A spokesperson for Barnsley Hospital said its Emergency Department remains “very busy”.

“We’re really happy to see people when they’re very unwell, that’s what we are here for,” said the spokesperson.

“However, we get a lot of people coming to Barnsley Hospital because they don’t think they have a choice of going somewhere else.

“Whilst some of our cases are genuine emergencies and we would want these to continue to come, some could be seen or treated more appropriately elsewhere.

“It’s also important to access the right healthcare early – don’t wait until it becomes an emergency.

"Calling NHS 111 can help signpost people to the right care and where they need to be.”

“GPs and pharmacies are available and should be the first port of call unless it is a life-threatening accident or illness.

“People coming to hospital should also please remember that mask wearing, hand hygiene and social distancing continue in healthcare settings.”