779 ambulance delays in Chesterfield so far this winter
779 patients in Chesterfield have faced waits of half-an-hour or more in ambulances outside A&E so far this winter, Liberal Democrat analysis has revealed. Of these, 139 faced waits of over an hour.
In the week to 31st December, 95 patients faced waits of over half an hour and 8 spent at least an hour waiting in ambulances outside A&E.
Analysis also shows that local hospitals are suffering from dangerously high bed occupancy rates. Chesterfield Royal Hospital trust has been at least 95% full for 11 of 42 days so far this winter.
This is way above the recommended maximum level of 85% bed occupancy that experts say must be maintained to protect patient safety.
The Liberal Democrats are calling for a penny on income tax for the NHS and care, which would raise £6bn a year, around £22m of which would go to North Derbyshire NHS based on current allocations.
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson Tom Snowdon commented:
"These figures show the NHS crisis in Chesterfield is worsening. Hundreds of patients are being left stuck in ambulances outside A&E while several hospitals are suffering from a severe lack of beds."
"Every ambulance stuck outside an A&E department could be needed by another patient waiting desperately at home for help."
"Each day seems to bring yet more bad news about the state of the health service. The blame for this lies firmly at the government's door."
"Ministers refused to provide the funding that top NHS officials said was necessary and now patients are paying the price."
"People understand that you have to raise the money required to provide the services people need. The Liberal Democrats will give the NHS and care the extra cash they desperately need, by putting a penny on income tax, which would raise £76m a year for health services in Derbyshire alone."
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Figures are based on NHS winter pressure statistics for the 20th November to 31st December 2017 (link)
The Liberal Democrats would put a penny on income tax to raise an additional £6bn a year, £4bn of which would be spent on the NHS and £2bn on social care. Based on current allocations, this would mean an additional £22m for the NHS in North Derbyshire.