Data shows worrying signs in Torbay's A&E

The number of patients waiting more than four hours in Torbay’s A&Es has risen by 74.8% compared with four years ago, Liberal Democrat analysis of House of Commons Library research reveals.

The data showed that across Torbay, 39,464 people waited over four hours in 2023, 16,886 more than in 2019, a 74.8% increase.  The data also revealed that the number of patients who waited over 12 hours to be seen in A&E in Torbay rose from 28 in 2019 to 1,586 in 2023.

In England as a whole, there were nearly 6.5 million waits of over four hours in 2023, up nearly 3 million since 2019. This comes as Liberal Democrat research revealed that the NHS budget is facing a £4.7 billion cut this year when inflation is taken into account.

In terms of the routine treatment waiting list, 42% of Torbay and South Devon Trust’s 34,000-strong waiting list had been waiting longer than the target time of 18 weeks. This was down from 55% in 2022 and still slightly below England’s average of 43%.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said:

“Cutting waiting lists is one of the government’s top five priorities and, despite winter pressures and the impact of industrial action, latest data shows overall NHS waiting lists have decreased for the third month in a row.

“A&E performance on four-hour waits also improved in January compared to December, with the number of people being seen within four hours rising to 70.3% despite seasonal winter pressures increasing and the highest number of January A&E attendances on record.

“We’re determined to continue improving patient care, having already delivered on our promise to create 5,000 extra permanent hospital beds and 10,000 hospital at home beds, freeing up capacity and cutting waiting times.”