Understand
Sharp rise in 12-hour A&E waits at York and Scarborough trust
Overview
NHS figures reveal that the proportion of patients waiting over 12 hours on emergency department trolleys at York and Scarborough hospitals more than doubled between April and August. An NHS trust report attributes the delays to a shortage of senior doctors, staff sickness, and difficulties discharging medically fit patients, with Scarborough Hospital experiencing markedly higher waits than York.
Key points
- A&E attendances resulting in a wait of 12 hours or more rose from 5.9% in April to 14.6% in August.
- Longer waits were noted to be markedly higher at Scarborough Hospital compared to York Hospital.
- The delays are blamed on a shortage of senior doctors and medics—particularly overnight—along with staff sickness and discharge delays.
- The trust is implementing measures such as a 'coming off corridors' programme, improving patient flow, and seeking additional medical staffing.