A&E figures may need recalculation after UK Statistics Authority they could lead to 'misleading conclusions'
Performance figures have also included minor injuries or care centres, some of which are not even on the same site as the hospital
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A&E statistics may have to be recalculated after the UK Statistics Authority said changes in the recording method could lead to “misleading conclusions”.
The current target requires hospitals to have treated, assessed or discharged patients who enter the emergency department within four hours.
It has now been revealed that performance figures have also included minor injuries or care centres, some of which are not even on the same site as the hospital.
At these centres patients tend to be treated much more quickly, therefore bringing the average of patients missing the target down.
The UK Statistics Authority has now written to NHS England asking them to explain the changes in the recording method.
An email, seen by the BBC, from NHS Improvement, the body in charge of overseeing trusts, encouraged including minor injuries or care centres in the figures.
“There is an urgent activity undertaken by a walk-in centre or urgent treatment centre or other provider within your local delivery board that currently is not reporting activity - we can work with you to apportion the activity to the main provider,” the email said.
Analysis by the BBC showed several trusts had improved their performance figures by adding walk-in centres, which were not on site, to their statistics.
Dr Taj Hassan, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said: "The changes that are understood to have been made to recording practice throw doubt on whether the scale of the crisis facing emergency medicine - made so clear in December's data - is actually greater than first thought."
An NHS Improvement official said it intended to ensure that all trusts were reporting in the same way and not "to artificially inflate A&E performance figures."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments