Thursday, May 26, 2011

A&E times still off target

The BBC today reported that A&E waiting times miss targets with about 12% of patients having waited four hours or more to be seen after arriving in A&E last month.

Cwm Taf are reportedly better than Cardiff and The Vale - probably because a large number of patients are lost trying to find out where they are supposed to go for treatment.

It you visit Cwm Taf website there is a page entitled Choose well "It explains what each NHS service does, and when it should be used. Choosing Well means that you and your family will get the best treatment. It also allows busy NHS services to help the people who need them most."

It recommends the Minor Injury Units at Llwynypia and Aberdare for cuts, bites and sprains and states that "Most are open from early in the morning until late at night."   Click on the link and you will find the opening times for these two units is 9am to 4.30!   Late at night?

We heard anecdotal evidence during the Assembly campaign that the A&E department in the Royal Glamorgan is over stretched.  The minor injuries units, as reported in the local press last year, have had their hours cut back because of staff shortages at A&E.  Furthermore the A&E at the Royal Glamorgan is being put under pressure because staff are being sent to cover shortages at Prince Charles in Merthyr.
Still people in the area are obviously not concerned about the lack of services - most of them did vote for more of the same after all.

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