BRI meets emergency wait targets despite ice chaos (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Trust thanks Bradford Royal Infirmary staff for their ‘tremendous efforts’ during winter surge in accidents

9:26pm Wednesday 23rd January 2013 in News By Claire Lomax

Bradford Royal Infirmary hit tough A&E waiting targets in December despite an incredible surge in the number of people seeking treatment.

The “tremendous efforts” of hospital staff were praised by hospital management and foundation trust governors at a Council of Governors meeting at BRI yesterday, who heard how demand in December had risen from an average of 350 patients a day to around 420.

Black ice, which hit the city in December, caused a spike in emergencies, with 595 patients attending in one 24-hour period, many with broken limbs and other trauma injuries.

Despite this, 97 per cent were seen within four hours, against a target of 95 per cent.

Chief executive Bryan Millar praised the tremendous effort of the entire hospital, from the frontline staff in A&E through to discharge teams, saying in light of demand, which continues into January, the performance of the organisation was remarkably good.

Chairman of the trust, David Richardson also congratulated the hard work and staff governor John Sidebottom asked for the governors’ thanks to be passed to A&E staff on their behalf, and also on behalf of the people of Bradford.

However, with beds full because of winter pressures, there was an increase in the number of operations cancelled on the same day. During December there were 4,403 planned operations, of which 77 were cancelled on the day, representing a cancellation rate of 1.75 per cent, against a target of 0.8 per cent.

The meeting heard the foundation trust continues to fail 18-week referral to treatment targets and MRSA rates present a real challenge, as do the number of patients waiting more than six weeks for a diagnostic test. The trust’s C.Diff rates are also over target. It has a target of no more than 60 cases for the financial year 2012/2013 and in November it had reached 47, slightly above the target of 45.

Mr Millar said action plans were in place for each of the issues, adding: “There is a real theme of improvement. Spring will see us bearing the fruit of the hard work that is going on now.”

The trust is also reporting a strong financial position, with a surplus of more than £3.1 million, which is ahead of plan. Finance director Matthew Horner said the trust expected to meet its end-of-year target of a surplus of £3.4 million, which would be reinvested into the trust to improve patient care.