Waiting Times
With significant financial pressure and requirement for savings it has been necessary to impose financial restrictions within the Trust. This has impacted on waiting times targets. The HSCB has now identified additional funding to achieve backstops by March 12. The Trust will use additional Inhouse and Independent Sector activity to achieve these.
Elective In-patients and daycases – As at the 29th February there were 1,629 NHSCT patients waiting over 13 weeks. 225 patients were breaching the agreed backstop positions at the end of February 2012. 76% of patients were waiting within 13 weeks. (Information validated weekly by operational staff). New backstops applied as per HSCB letter, 22nd December.
Out-patients - As at the 29th February there were 5,523 NHSCT patients waiting over 9 weeks. An additional 253 patients were waiting over 9 weeks for ICATS specialties. There were 531 patients breaching the agreed backstop positions at the end of February 2012. (Information validated weekly by operational staff) New backstops applied as per HSCB letter, 22nd December.
Diagnostics – As at 29th February there were 145 Cardiology patients, 1 GI Physiology, 4 Respiratory Physiology and 10 Urodynamic patients waiting over 9 weeks. AHPs - As at 29th February there were 82 patients waiting over 9 weeks, 69 Occupational Therapy and 13 Speech & Language.
Mental Health waiting list – As at 29th February, there were 99 (CAMHS) patients in breach of the 9 week target. Psychological Therapies continues to be monitored against the 13 week target and there were 7 patients in breach of this target.
Dialysis- From April ‘11 at least 60% of existing patients to have dialysis via a fistula and at least 50% of new patients to have dialysis via a fistula. Cooperation is ongoing with the Belfast and Western Trust regarding additional sessions. This will however be effected by Patient suitability. This is a shared target.
Cancer Services - 98% Patients diagnosed with Cancer should commence treatment within 31 days of decision to treat. In addition to this target, 95% of patients urgently referred with suspected cancer should begin first
definitive treatment within 62 days. Latest information up to the 8th March 2012 shows that 100% has been achieved for the 31 day target in February and 68% has been achieved for the 62 day target.
(This position can change as patient records become updated).
Suspected Breast Cancer patients referred urgently should be seen within 14 days of referral.
Monthly reports are provided in Table 12 (Access / Waiting Time Targets Section) with February 2012 continuing with 100% seen within 14 days. This target was consistently achieved throughout 09/10 and 10/11.
Accident & Emergency All patients should be seen within 12 hours. During January the Trust had 332 patients in excess of this target. 29 of these breaches were requests to the NI Ambulance Service (NIAS) outside of a 4
hour request target. Within the overall Trust A&E sites there were 69.4% of patients who had been seen and discharged within 4 hours for February. The target is 95% at each individual site. Both Antrim and Causeway sites continue to fall below the target. An Unscheduled Care Programme Board has been setup including an Improvement group to identify and implement actions for A&E.