A&E wait targets missed

The Royal Oldham Hospital A&E department

Accident and Emergency departments across England - including Royal Oldham Hospital, which covers Rochdale - have failed to meet Government targets on waiting times.

Just under 93 per cent of patients in England were seen within four hours from October to December, 2014 - the worst quarterly result since a target was introduced a decade ago.

Local A&E departments recorded similar results with 91.47 per cent of patients seen within four hours at the Royal Oldham, North Manchester and Fairfield hospitals, as well as an urgent care centre at Rochdale Infirmary.

Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust recorded 80,079 attendances over the three months.

Dr Anton Sinniah, deputy medical director for the Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We are seeing extremely high numbers of patients, many of whom require hospital admission.

“Demand for our services has increased over the past few weeks.”

He said the Trust is currently reviewing the need for extra capacity across its sites.

Dr Nick Gili, clinical director at the Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: “At this time of year the number of people attending A&E increases significantly. Some people with minor complaints and injuries could be treated elsewhere.”