What is the average wait time in A&E?
It is meant to be 4 hours or less. But actually it is not known. It is easier to state the maximum waiting time in A&E. I.e. it should be four hours or less. Ok, so let’s expand on that a bit.
The waiting time target for patients in A&E is currently set to be less than 4 hours from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge. What is that based on?
The NHS has a ‘4 Hour A&E Target’ – for emergency care. This is known as ‘4 Hours’. It states 95% of emergency patients should be seen, treated if necessary, and either discharged or admitted, within four hours from arrival at A&E.
The target has not been hit since July 2015.
Unfortunately as we all know, few patients are being seen and sorted in 4 hours at present. Many are waiting 8 hours or more. We are very sorry about this situation, and apologise. It will be sorted one day.
Note. There is also a ’12 Hour Trolley Wait’. This is a limit, not a target. It states patients should not wait to be admitted on a trolley in the A&E (or in an ambulance) for over 12 hours. The clock starts at time of decision to admit.
Significant numbers of people now wait more than 12 hours , sometimes on a trolley. We are very ashamed about that, and sorry.
Most NHS targets are your legal right under the NHS Constitution.
NHS quicker
In some parts of the South West, there is a website and app called NHSquicker, which tells you the current waiting times in A&Es and other urgent care facilities, and so which one to go to.
Summary
We have described what is the average wait time in A&E. We hope it has been helpful.
