Airedale Hospital chief raises concern over targets (From Craven Herald)
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Airedale Hospital chief raises concern over targets
10:00am Sunday 9th December 2012 in News
Director of operations Christine Miles
Airedale Hospital was able to see and treat 95 per cent of its A&E patients within four hours during the first two quarters of the financial year.
Director of operations Christine Miles told the foundation trust board this was in line with national targets but warned it was becoming harder to reach the standard.
She pointed to the increasing number of patients coming to A&E, including larger numbers of elderly people with complex health requirements.
“Levels of demand are unpredictable,” she said. “The last two days were fairly quiet in the evenings at A&E, but a week ago we were bursting at the seams.”
pjl20 says...
10:53am Sun 9 Dec 12
However despite local MP Kris Hopkins bringing this measure of performance to the Leader of the House of Commons attention recently the issue raised by Christine Miles is an important one.
The present resources available are limited and based upon previous levels of demand. The demands are increasing and the population ages and we live longer.
To my own direct knowledge the staff at Airedale General are achieving high performance levels as a result of a great deal of effort during particularly busy periods.
The targets set are achievable only if resources are maintained at the level where the increasing number of patients can be handled adequately, especially at very busy times