A&E figures reveal 'great variation' in quality of care
Wednesday 31st August 2011
New Accident and Emergency (A&E) figures have revealed there is great variation in care around the UK.
The data focused on the proportion of patients who leave A&E departments without being seen, the number of patient who had to attend the emergency ward again within a week after their first attendance and the time it takes to get an initial assessment.
Health secretary Andrew Lansley said that the time people wait in A&E is "important to patients".
However, he continued, the amount of time it takes to be seen is not the only issue that must be addressed, with an emphasis being put on the quality of care received.
Mr Lansley claimed that the publication of the figures will allow important issues to be addressed, drive up standards of care, improve patients' experience and underline specific areas in which A&Es can improve.
"Patients should be able to expect a 24/7 accessible and safe emergency care service which is integrated across the NHS. I expect all trusts to use this information in a positive way and improve services for patients," he said.
National Clinical Director for Emergency and Urgent Care Professor Matthew Cooke said the new clinical quality indicators for A&E services provide an "opportunity" to improve services for patients.
"We now have measures that look at the percentage of patients who re-attend A&E departments within seven days of their first visit or how quickly potentially life-threatening conditions are first assessed so that the emergency care system can be viewed as a whole to give patients the best possible care," he said.
In other NHS news, a data consultation is aiming to cut administrative red tape and save an estimated £10 million.
The 12 week consultation will involve patient groups, research organisations, academic institutions and NHS trusts, which will be asked for their views on the proposals.
Written by Mathew Horton
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