Derriford 'in growing need of resuscitation'

THOUSANDS OF HOURS LOST TO AMBULANCE DELAYS; MILLIONS NEEDED FOR REPAIRS

- CARL EVE and DAVID DUBAS FISHER

LONG ambulance waits, huge maintenance bills and "hours lost" mark a worrying situation for Derriford Hospital chiefs in a new report.

The latest Integrated Performance Report by the University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust board, held on December 1, noted a series of performance indicators which showed worrying figures relating to some waiting times but also a plan for new development and enlargement of the hospital after funding was secured.

In April, The Herald reported that according to the NHS's own figures, Derriford Hospital had some of the longest accident and emergency waiting times in the country, with more than 24% of people arriving at the hospital having to wait more than 12 hours before being admitted, discharged or transferred.

But the latest set of performance indicators in the 574-page long report, suggests that while in April the "ambulance handover lost hours" sat at 3,350, it has risen steadily to 5,108 in August, 6,359 in September and 8,906 hours in October.

With a "national target" of 76%, Derriford is languishing with its latest figures at 54.1%.

The report also says the number of patients who wait 12 hours or more in A&E has increased from 1,491 in April to 1,774 in October.

In it's responsive' metrics for Urgent and Emergency Care, it noted how ambulance handover delays had increased to alarming levels. In April this year it stated that 3,350 hours had been lost against a 'trajectory' of 2,393. By September this year that had risen to 6,359 hours lost, against a trajectory of 3,039. However, the figures had skyrocketed during October when 8,906 hours had been lost, against a trajectory of 3,554.