This topic covers statistical outputs that are used to measure and monitor waiting times for NHS treatment and other aspects of access to treatment.
Publications
Monthly data on A&E admissions, cancelled operations, and critical care bed use
Weekly data on A&E activity and patients waiting over 4 hours for admission, transfer or discharge, as well as ambulance data including numbers of urgent journeys and Category A and B calls.
The total number of attendances in the week for all A&E types, including Minor Injury Units and Walk-in Centres, and of these, the number discharged, admitted or transferred within four hours of arrival. Also included are the number of admissions via A&E, and any waits of over four hours for admission following decision to admit. Data are shown at provider organisation level, from NHS Trusts, NHS Foundation Trusts, Primary Care Trusts and Independent Sector Organisations.
This publication presents information on annual activity at emergency care departments in Northern Ireland. It details information on new attendances, planned & unplanned re-attendances, patient transport to A&E, waiting times in emergency care departments and accidents in the home resulting in the patient being admitted to hospital.
A&E activity; total time spent in A&E from arrival to admission, discharge or transfer and waiting for emergency admission through A&E.
This publication provides Accident and Emergency (A&E) attendance data. It details records of attendances at major A&E departments, single specialty A&E departments, minor injury units and walk in centres in England.
Total attendances and attendances less than 4 hours. Prior to February 2010 this publication was released as part of the "Waiting Times and Waiting Lists" publication. As from July 2010 these statistics can be designated as National Statistics products.
This publication provides analysis of the Accident and Emergency (A&E) attendance data (2007-08). Focusing specifically on duration spent within the A&E department and disposal method of patients, at England level. An accompyaning spreadsheet will provide further analysis at provider level. (This analysis will be included in future annnual A&E publications)
From December 2009 this publication will be split into several distinct titles: - Acute Hospital Activity - Annual summary of inpatient/day case activity, procedures and diagnoses - Acute Hospital Activity - Quarterly summary inpatient, day case and outpatient activity - Acute Hospital Activity - Annual summary of outpatient activity - Acute Hospital Activity - Day Surgery and Outpatient Procedures - Acute Hospital Activity - Length of Stay - Acute Hospital Activity - Multiple and All Emergency Admissions.
Summary of inpatient/day case activity in the acute hospital sector of NHSScotland. Prior to December 2009 this publication was released as part of an overall "Acute Hospital Activity" publication.
Summary of outpatient activity in the acute hospital sector of NHSScotland. Prior to December 2009 this publication was released as part of an overall "Acute Hospital Activity" publication.
Summary of BADS day surgery procedures and outpatient procedures. Prior to December 2009 this publication was released as part of an overall "Acute Hospital Activity" publication.
Summary of average length of stay in the acute hospital sector of NHSScotland. Prior to December 2009 this publication was released as part of an overall "Acute Hospital Activity" publication.
Summary of emergency admissions data in the acute hospital sector of NHSScotland. Prior to December 2009 this publication was released as part of an overall "Acute Hospital Activity" publication.
Summary of activity in the acute hospital sector of NHSScotland. Prior to December 2009 this publication was released as part of an overall "Acute Hospital Activity" publication.
Information on the quality of care delivered by ambulance services, including the response times of ambulance crews, and the re-contact and call abandonment rates of patients
Following public consultation these publications will be released as a single publication on a yearly basis from September 2011: - Annual summary of outpatient activity - Annual summary of inpatient and day case activity, procedures and diagnoses - Annual summary of bed statistics - Annual summary of childhood hospital admissions - Emergency and Multiple Admissions - Length of stay information - Same day surgery information - Allied Health Professional and Nurse Led clinics data
Information on the number of patients waiting and seen for Audiology services at month end.
Annual Cancer Waiting Times statistics for urgently-referred patients by tumour site and NHS board, for Acute Leukaemia and Paediatric cancers. To remain relevant to the changing set of targets, the quarterly Cancer Waiting Times Statistics published previously by ISD was replaced by the New Cancer Waiting Times Statistics in June 2010, which show a new series of figures. The Cancer Waiting Times' last quarterly release was in May 2010.
Annual report of waiting times statistics for patients urgently referred for paediatric cancers and Acute Leukaemias from 1 January - 31 December, by tumour site and NHS Board. This information was previously published by the Scottish Government, and is the first production of these annual statistics since ISD began publishing the Quarterly Cancer Waiting Times Statistics (now "old" cancer wating times) in November 2009, for the quarter April-June 2009.
Statistical release published by the Scottish Government detailing cancer waiting-time statistics for urgently-referred patients by tumour site and NHS board.
Waiting Times for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Scotland
Cancer waiting times statistics
Monthly data on critical care bed use and cancelled operations
Delayed Discharges in NHSScotland. From February 2010 there is no more additional Supplementary Information released. All information is published as part of the main Delayed Discharges' releases.
Provisional monthly data on diagnostic imaging tests on NHS patients in England. Includes estimates of GP usage of direct access to chest imaging, non-obstetric ultrasound and MRI brain scans which are key diagnostic test for cancer.
Measurement of Current Key Diagnostics Test. Prior to February 2010 this publication was released as part of the "Waiting Times and Waiting Lists" publication. As from July 2010 these statistics can be designated as National Statistics products.
Monthly collection of data covering those patients on a Direct Access audiology pathway.
• Attendances by site type and attendance category (Scotland and NHS Board of treatment). • Attendance and admission rate split by age band and gender (Scotland and NHS Board of treatment). • Attendance rates for T10 HEAT target • Quarterly release of total attendances and attendances less than 4 hours
Information about the pre and post operative health status of patients undergoing common elective procedures (hip and knee replacements, varicose vein and groin hernia)
This statistical relelase gives information on people's access to their GP.
Provides information pertaining to the Governments key priorities for improving routine access to GP services in evenings and at weekends.
National results from the GP survey including questions about people’s experiences of making an appointment, visiting the GP surgery, seeing staff and being prescribed medicines.
This statistical bulletin presents information on hearing aid assessments and re-assessments by audiologists in Northern Ireland. Information has been derived from the quarterly collection AUD1 and monitors information on both adults and children fitted and assessed for hearing aids during the quarter, complaints received, and cost of hearing aids issued. In addition, the collection monitors complete and incomplete waits for assessment during the quarter and the length of time patients were waiting or had waited following referral to an audiologist (specified time bands).
Summary of waiting times and waiting lists in the acute sector of NHS Scotland. Information will be included regarding future waiting time targets. Data to 31 March (monthly and quarterly data). Prior to May 2011 this publication was called "Waiting Times and Waiting Lists".
This publication presents statistics on mental health and learning disability activity in both an inpatient and outpatient setting in Northern Ireland.
Monthly statistics on access to, volume and quality of NHS 111 calls. It covers information on the price of the NHS 111 service, its impact on activity across the urgent and emergency care system. It will include figures on user experience every six months.
This publication includes monthly statistics on access to, volume and quality of NHS 111 calls. It covers information on the price of the NHS 111 service, its impact on activity across the urgent and emergency care system. It will include figures on user experience every six months.
Provides data on Cancer waiting times for Welsh NHS Trusts.
This Statistical Release shows information on waiting times for specified diagnostic and therapy service for the NHS in Wales.
Diagnostic test waiting.
Waiting times or waiting list statistics.
Admission events.
Referral to treatment waiting.
Update of Waiting Times Statistics • Quarterly waiting times statistics for the 18 weeks Referral to Treatment standard. • Hospital - Summary of waiting times and waiting lists in the acute sector of NHS Scotland. • Emergency Department - Quarterly release of total attendances and attendances less than 4 hours • Diagnostic - Measurement of Current From February 2010 to November 2011 these publications were released as separate titles as described above.
This Statistical Release presents data on the number of weeks that residents of Wales have been waiting for inpatient/day-case admission and outpatient appointments.
Information on the number of clients seen and the length of time they waited to be seen for various interventions. Data presented by Health Board (from March 2010 release onwards) and Alcohol and Drug Action Team area.
Information on the number of clients seen and the length of time they waited, and the progress towards the Scottish Government HEAT target, by quarter. Presents for the first time waiting times from referral to start of treatment. Data presented by Health Board and Alcohol and Drug Partnership. This is the first publication from the new Drug and Alcohol Treatment Waiting times Database, and the first time alcohol treatment waiting times are published.
Quarterly New Cancer Waiting Times statistics for the 62-day target: patients urgently referred with a suspicion of cancer to first cancer treatment; and for the 31-day target: all patients regardless of the route of referral from date decision to treat to first cancer treatment by NHS Board, Cancer Network and Cancer Type.
New Ways Data Quality Assessment Report
This release gives details of the waiting times for patients accessing cancer services at hospitals in Northern Ireland.
This is the publication of the monthly statistics release on waiting times for all Emergency Care Departments across Northern Ireland
This publication presents information on inpatient and day case admission activity at Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland. It details information on Available Beds, Occupied Beds, Occupancy Rates, Average Length of Stay, Theatre Utilisation and Hospital Births. All data are presented by HSC Trust, hospital and specialty.
The publication relates to activity at consultant led outpatient services in Health and Social Care hospitals in Northern Ireland. Data includes the number of new and review attendances, missed appointments (DNAs), appointments cancelled by patients (CNAs) and appointments cancelled by hospitals, split by HSC Trust, hospital and specialty.
These quarterly statistical releases give details of the number of people waiting for either a first outpatient assessment, a selected diagnostic service or inpatient treatment at hospitals in Northern Ireland.
Provisional information about the pre and post operative health status of patients undergoing common elective procedures (hip and knee replacements, varicose vein and groin hernia)
This Statistical Release gives information on the total time waited from referral by a GP or other medical practitioner to hospital treatment in the NHS in Wales.
Information on the waiting times of patients with suspected cancer and those subsequently diagnosed with cancer
This Statistical Release presents data on time spent in A&E departments of NHS Trusts within Wales
Waiting Times and Waiting Lists. Prior to February 2010, "Diagnostic Test Waiting Times" and "Accident and Emergency Waiting Times" were published under this title but from this date onwards they will be released separately.
Cancer waiting.
Overview
The content of this topic includes statistics that measure and monitor the waiting times for NHS treatment and other aspects of access to NHS treatment and services. Many of these statistics are used by central government and by the NHS to assess the performance of the NHS in meeting patient needs.
These are examples of content:
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Time Waited from GP Referral to Treatment (this ‘whole patient pathway’ output is used to monitor patient waiting times in England)
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Diagnostic Test (waiting time for any diagnostic test)
- Waiting Times for Suspected Cancer patients
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Time spent in Accident and Emergency units
Technical Data
Referral to treatment (RTT) time waited
RTT data are collected from English Primary Care Trusts on a responsible population basis and from NHS Trusts on a provider basis.
The RTT data measure referral to treatment (RTT) times in weeks, split by treatment function. The length of the RTT period is reported for patients whose RTT clock stopped during the month.
The return includes all patients whose RTT clock stopped at any point in the reporting period. A column has been provided to enter data for patients whose length of RTT period is unknown, that is, patients who have had a clock stop during the month but where the clock start date is not known.
For non-admitted patients, the RTT time is measured on an unadjusted basis - from the date the clock starts to the date that the RTT clock stops, as detailed in DSCN 17/2006. For admitted patients, the RTT time is measured on an adjusted basis - from the date the 18 week clock starts to the date that the RTT clock stops, allowing for legitimate pauses as described in the RTT Rules Suite.
The documents can be found at on the DH website.
The rules for the data collection are based on those set out in the rules documents.
The data collection is in three parts:
Part 1a: Completed pathways – admitted
Part 1b: Completed pathways – non-admitted
Part 2 : Incomplete pathways
Please see below for more information on other areas:
Technical Definitions for Diagnostics statistics can be found on the DH website.
More information on Cancer Waiting Times, including an annual report, are available on the DH website.
More information on A&E waiting times are available on the DH website.
Glossary
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Admitted patient
These are pathways where the patient required treatment through being admitted to hospital, either as an inpatient or a daycase.
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Cancer waiting times
Waiting times of patients with suspected cancer and those subsequently diagnosed with cancer. Measures are the wait from urgent GP referral to first outpatient appointment for all patients with suspected cancer; the wait from clinical diagnosis to treatment for all cancer; and the wait from urgent GP referral to treatment for all cancers.
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Diagnostic Census
A quarterly publication collecting details of waiting times for diagnostic tests not published monthly.
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Diagnostic test
A test or procedure used to identify a person’s disease or condition and which allows a medical diagnosis to be made. In contrast, a ‘therapeutic procedure’ is defined as a procedure which involves actual treatment of a person’s disease, condition or injury. Tests carried out as part of national screening programmes do not count as a diagnostics test/procedure for the purposes of these figures.
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Diagnostic tests (15 key)
The set of diagnostic tests published on a monthly basis. The tests were chosen as they represented the high volume and long waits that were seen as the biggest problem. They are as follows: Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computer Tomography, Non-obstetric ultrasound, Barium Enema, DEXA Scan, Audiology assessment, Cardiology - echocardiography, Cardiology - electrophysiology, Neurophysiology - peripheral neurophysiology, Respiratory physiology - sleep studies, Urodynamics - pressures & flows, Colonoscopy, Flexi sigmoidoscopy, Cystoscopy, and Gastroscopy.
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Non-admitted patient
A pathway that results in a clock stop for treatment that does not require an admission or for ‘non-treatment’.
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Primary Care Trusts
Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) covering all parts of England receive budgets directly from the Department. Since April 2002, PCTs have taken control of local health care while Strategic Health Authorities monitor performance and standards.
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Referral to treatment
Waiting time from initial referral, which initiates a clock start, leading up to the start of first definitive treatment or other RTT clock stop point.
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Time of arrival in A&E
The time of arrival is recorded by the clinician (nurse or doctor) carrying out initial triage/assessment or A&E reception whichever is earlier. For ambulance cases, arrival time is when handover occurs or 15 minutes after the ambulance arrives at A&E, whichever is earlier.
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Time of departure from A&E
Total time in the department ends when the patient is admitted, transferred, or discharged home.
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Total time in A&E
Total time spent in Accident and Emergency from the time that the patient arrives in A&E to when the patient leaves the department on admission, transfer to another agency or organisation or discharge.
Contact Details
For statistical enquiries about this topic, please contact:
Knowledge and Intelligence
Email: unify2@dh.gsi.gov.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 1132 545214
Knowledge and Intelligence Room 4E60 Quarry House Quarry Hill Leeds LS2 7UE
