NEW figures released last week have revealed the extent of the NHS crisis in Worcestershire.
In Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust, 1611 people waited over 4 hours to be seen in December and 401 patients waited over 12 hours to be seen in December during the winter crisis.
Meanwhile, the average ambulance response time for the most urgent incidents in West Midlands Ambulance Service was 9 minutes 14 seconds in December – well in excess of the NHS target of seven minutes.
The Liberal Democrats have set out a five-point plan to tackle the ambulance service crisis.
The party is demanding the Government release the money they promised to help discharge patients from hospitals, as soon as possible.
Mark Tomes Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Redditch said: “The Government’s failure to tackle the crisis in our NHS is letting down people in Redditch and putting patients’ lives at risk. How much more evidence do Ministers need? They either don’t care or just can’t grasp the scale of this problem.
“Unacceptable and heartbreaking delays mean the Government is falling far short even on its own targets.
“Far too many people in are having to wait far too long to get the treatment they need. In many cases, this is literally a matter of life or death. People in our area deserve far better.
“Our NHS isn’t just at breaking point – it’s splitting at its very seams. We need action from the Conservatives. Liberal Democrats are demanding the Government release the money they promised to help discharge patients from hospitals, and launch a campaign to recruit the extra paramedics and ambulance staff we need.”
Rachel Maclean, MP for Redditch, said: “I’m acutely aware of the pressures right now in our hospitals, which is why reducing A&E and ambulance waiting times is a top priority for me and for the Government.
“Our local NHS has received £2.6 million from the Government fund to free up beds in our hospitals so that people can be admitted quicker from A&E to wards, reducing pressure on emergency departments.
“I continue to believe the Alex could be better utilised by providing more services for children and young people, helping to reduce pressure on Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
“Having met recently with the Chief Executive of NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire, this is something I believe we can make progress on.”
