ALMOST half of the patients at Warrington and Halton hospitals at major A&E departments waited more than four hours for treatment in November.

NHS England says that 95 per cent of patients attending accident and emergency departments should be admitted, transferred, or discharged within four hours.

According to data provided by NHS Digital, 47 per cent of patients attending major A&E waited more than four hours for treatment.

Warrington Guardian: 53 per cent of patients at major A&E departments in Warrington and Halton were seen within four hours53 per cent of patients at major A&E departments in Warrington and Halton were seen within four hours (Image: Newsquest)

53 per cent of patients were seen within the target set by NHS England for major A&E departments.

However, the number of patients left waiting more than four hours in November 2022 was significantly higher than the month before - October saw 39 per cent of patients waiting more than four hours.

November 2021 also saw 39 per cent of patients waiting more than four hours - showing that a higher proportion of patients in November 2022 were left waiting.

That said, in regard to minor or single-speciality departments, the proportion of patients seen within the target time is higher, with 64 per cent of those patients being seen within the target time.

The data also reveals that the NHS as a whole has fallen short of its own target every year since mid-2015.

Nationally, more than 30 per cent of patients waiting for treatment at A&E departments in NHS hospitals in November waited for longer than four hours.

NHS data also shows that around 575 people left A&E in Warrington before their treatment was completed.

Warrington Guardian: Across England, more than 30 per cent of patients waited longer than four hours for major A&E treatmentAcross England, more than 30 per cent of patients waited longer than four hours for major A&E treatment (Image: Newsquest)

Speaking to ITV, Professor Julian Redhead - national clinical director for urgent and emergency care - said: “Despite the ongoing pressures on services which are exacerbated by flu hospitalisations, issues in social care meaning we cannot discharge patients who are ready, and record numbers needing A&E, staff have powered through to bring down some of our longest waits for care.

“We have already said we are dealing with a perfect storm of pressures this winter, including increased demand for emergency care, and today announced an expansion of mental health crisis services which will ensure people suffering a mental health crisis get the help they need as quickly as possible, and reduce the chances of a patient needing to go to A&E.

“That is all on top of the measures announced NHS’ winter plan published in October which includes new hubs dedicated to respiratory infections and a falls response service to free up ambulance capacity."