More than 18,000 patients visit A&E in Cornwall in one month

More patients visited A&E at Royal Cornwall Hospitals last month, with demand rising above the levels seen over the same period last year.

NHS England figures show 18,259 patients visited A&E at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust in July.

That was a rise of 9% on the 16,828 visits recorded during June, and 36% more than the 13,473 patients seen in July 2020.

The figures show attendances were below the levels seen before the coronavirus pandemic – in July 2019, there were 21,082 visits to A&E at Royal Cornwall Hospitals.

The majority of attendances last month were via minor A&E departments – those which treat minor injuries and illnesses such as fractures, cuts and bruises – while 36% were via major departments, with full resuscitation equipment and 24-hour consultant-led care.

Across England, A&E departments received 2.2 million visits last month.

That was in line with June, and 36% more than the 1.6 million seen during July 2020.

What do the figures show for hospitals in Cornwall?

At Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust in July:

79% of arrivals were seen within four hours, against an NHS target of 95%

1,042 patients waited longer than four hours for treatment following a decision to admit

Of those, 103 were delayed by more than 12 hours

Separate data reveals that in June:

The median time to treatment was 112 minutes

Around 3% of patients left before being treated

The figures have been revealed as Cornwall's entire health care system faces extreme pressure.

South Western Ambulance Service has drafted in help from the military, with a small number of personnel being used to get vehicles back on the roads to get patients urgent care sooner.

The SWASFT recently declared a critical incident and saw the busiest week in its history in July, taking an average of one call every 26 seconds.

NHS Kernow has launched a summer campaign to help cope with soaring demand, urging people not to call 999 unless it is a life-threatening emergency.

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• a&e
• royal cornwall hospitals trust
• nhs kernow
• Cornwall