10,635 patients face 12-hour A&E waits across North London

Analysis by Enfield Liberal Democrats has revealed that 10,635 patients across North London waited more than 12 hours in hospital Accident & Emergency departments in February alone.

The analysis, based on statistics released for the first time last week by NHS England, show the number of people who waited more than 12 hours from arriving at A&E to being admitted, transferred or discharged.

The figures show that 13.37% of patients across North London, including both Enfield and surrounding boroughs, waited over 12 hours at A&E in the month of February.

These long A&E waits can have serious consequences for patients. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine has warned that “evidence shows delays to care and long waits to admission to hospital increase a patient’s risk of harm and death”, even after they leave A&E.

The Liberal Democrats are calling for a rescue plan for local health services, including recruiting more GPs and bringing in a Carer’s Minimum Wage to tackle staff shortages in social care. This would help reduce pressure on overstretched hospitals and ambulance services.

Responding to the figures, Liberal Democrat Bullsmoor ward by-election candidate and parliamentary spokesperson for Edmonton, Tim Martin, said:

“These figures lay bare the appalling extent of long A&E delays in places like Enfield. Far too many people are having to wait 12 hours or more to be treated, which we know can have devastating consequences.

“The Conservative Government has let the NHS crisis spiral out of control. They are letting patients in our community down badly, leaving them waiting in pain for the treatment they need.

“The Liberal Democrats are calling for an urgent rescue plan for our local health services. If patients could see their GP when they need to or get the care they need at home, it would free up hospital resources to treat people far more quickly.”