Data revealed by a Freedom of Information Request shows that the average time spent in Cumberland Hospital’s A&E department in 2024 was 331 minutes or 5.52 hours.
This is an increase of more than six percent over the same period in 2023, when the average time to July was 311 minutes or 5.12 hours.
The total average time spent in the department for the entire year in 2023 was 337 minutes or 5.6 hours.
Dr Mike Rickards, consultant in emergency medicine, said: “Like many hospitals across the country, attendances at our A&E departments have increased and this is affecting our length of stay.
“Furthermore, difficulties in discharging patients who no longer require medical treatment but require further care packages may lead to bed shortages for those coming through our A&E departments.”
Average hours in the winter months were, unsurprisingly, longer, with patients spending up to six hours in A&E in October, November and December 2023.
An average of more than seven hours was spent in the department in April this year.
Last year the hospital recorded 61,133 visits to the A&E department, and as of July 4, 32,465 people have visited the department this year.
There are a number of reasons for both high attendances and longer waiting times in A&E, including the pressures faced by GP surgeries and the lack of available beds.
To address waiting times and space constraints in the department, North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC) has submitted an outline planning application to Cumberland Council to build an emergency care center at the hospital.
Dr Rickards added: “We will continue to work with partners across the health and social care system to work through ways to reduce waiting times by making sure patients are in the right place for the care they need, and we prioritize the care patients need. Terms.
“We also promote the healthcare options available to help people make the best choice for their needs, which is not always A&E.
“For example, our emergency centers in Penrith and Keswick have significantly shorter waiting times for non-life threatening conditions and injuries.”
The Freedom of Information request also revealed the longest time a patient spent in the A&E department until they left the hospital.
In 2023 this was 59 hours and in 2024 it is 66 hours or 2.75 days as of today.
In England, the NHS has a four-hour standard, requiring at least 95 per cent of patients in an A&E department to be admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours.
Last year, five months fell within the four-hour mark at Cumberland Hospital and June was the lowest month for time spent in A&E. Also this year, June and July have fallen within the four month limit.
“The longest length of stay will be specific to the patient’s condition, which can be complicated,” Dr. Rickard said.
“However, if a patient is in the A&E department for a very long period of time, we would like to provide reassurance that they have been assessed, met with a doctor and agreed a treatment plan.
“Department staff will care for that patient while they wait for the specialist bed or treatment they need. Most people are seen, treated and discharged or admitted within four hours of arriving at the department.
“We share our live wait times on our website in advance. However, we fully recognize that many people wait too long. It’s something we’re working hard to improve.”
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