WAITING times at the Alexandra Hospital have increased again as statistics showed the figures across England were at the worst level in more than a decade.

Figures released yesterday, Tuesday, April 7, showed the amount of patients seen, treated and either sent home or admitted to hospital within the NHS-mandated four hour target had fallen to its lowest level since 2004.

Although government targets say the target should be met in at least 95 per cent of cases, the national figure for the week ending Sunday, March 29 stood at 92 per cent.

The results include Worcestershire’s two A&E departments, Worcestershire Royal Hospital and Redditch’s Alexandra Hospital, where the target was only met in 75.9 per cent of cases, a significant drop from the previous week where it stood at 80.3 per cent.

Both hospitals have been under extreme pressure over recent weeks and months, leading to increasing waiting times and a lengthening backlog of operations.

Deputy chief executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust – which runs the three sites as well as Kidderminster Hospital – Chris Tidman said the figure was largely down to an increase in the amount of older patients, who often have to stay in hospital longer.

“This has increased our bed occupancy and reduced discharge levels,” he said. “When combined with an increased number of patients attending A&E, this has been affecting our ability to hit the A&E target.”

He added a number of measures had been put in place to deal with the demand, with work still ongoing, including a new urgent care centre to be set up at a office building opposite the Royal’s A&E.

“This winter a range of initiatives were introduced to discharge patients who have complex ongoing care needs, and we are continuing to work closely with our partners across the health and social care community to look at further actions that can be taken in the coming months,” he said.

“We have also recently increased the number of cubicles available in the A&E department at Worcestershire Royal Hospital and patients are already beginning to see the benefits of this.” Last month the Department of Health confirmed the NHS across England as a whole had failed to meet its target every week of the winter, meaning the average for the whole year has not been met.

Alternatives to A&E in Worcestershire include the county’s five Minor Injury Units in Malvern, Evesham, Kidderminster, Bromsgrove and Tenbury, which are able to treat conditions such as broken bones, burns, cuts and bruises. The unit in Kidderminster is open 24 hours a day and waiting times at all five are often much shorter than at A&E.

NHS 111 is also available free 24 hours a day for health advice, and can refer callers to a GP or hospital if necessary.