FEWER patients visited A&E at Oxford University Hospitals Trust last month, new NHS figures have revealed.

NHS England data shows 14,802 patients visited A&E departments run by the trust in June.

That was a drop of 4 per cent on the 15,357 visits recorded during May, but in line with the number seen in June 2021.

The figures also show that attendances were above the levels seen in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic – in June 2020, there were 10,589 visits to A&E departments run by the trust.

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Sara Randall, chief operating officer at OUH, said: “Attendances at our emergency department in June and July remain at high levels, and they have been particularly busy with the recent increase in attendances during the hot weather.

“Fewer people came to our emergency departments during lockdown in the early days of the pandemic for a number of reasons, including less socialising and moving around, and reluctance to come to hospital.  However, over time, attendances have come closer to pre-pandemic levels.

“I would like to thank people who are thinking carefully about using the right NHS service in order to prevent overloading of our emergency services.

"Unless it is an emergency, please use NHS 111 which offers people quick advice on the best option for them to get the care they need, including getting a call back from a trained clinician or nurse, or providing advice on how to help them recover.”

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The majority of attendances last month were via major A&E departments – those with full resuscitation equipment and 24-hour consultant-led care – while 3 per cent were via minor injury units.

Meanwhile, around 10 per cent were via consultant-led departments with single specialties, such as eye conditions or dental problems.

In June:

  • There were 1,346 booked appointments, down from 1,441 in May
  • 65 per cent of arrivals were seen within four hours, against an NHS target of 95 per cent
  • 712 patients waited longer than four hours for treatment following a decision to admit – 5 per cent of patients

Separate NHS Digital data reveals that in May:

  • The median time to treatment was 82 minutes. The median average is used to ensure figures are not skewed by particularly long or short waiting times
  • Around 5 per cent of patients left before being treated

Across England, A&E departments received 2.2 million visits last month.

That was in line with May, and the same number as were seen during June 2021.

Meanwhile, the number of beds at the trust occupied by people who tested positive for covid more than quadrupled in the last four weeks. 

 

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This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers. 

Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @AnnaColivicchi