SCORES of patients are still waiting longer than anyone else in Wales to be seen at a Swansea A&E department.
Latest Assembly figures show there has been little improvement at the Morriston Hospital unit — although health bosses have pledged to plough in �1.5 million in an attempt to turn it around.
Only 71 per cent of patients were seen at the site within the four-hour time target in January. The Assembly-set target is 95 per cent. Morriston's figures were the worst in Wales.
But an Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board spokeswoman said the department had suffered due to the knock-on effects of the extreme winter weather, along with high numbers of patients with flu and other chest infections.
One health worker, who did not wish to be named, said: "Morriston Hospital was 71 per cent in January and 69 per cent before that. It is the only hospital in Wales to be under 79 per cent — all the other hospitals are above that figure or more."
Another Morriston Hospital worker claimed staff worked under extreme pressure all the time, and added: "If there were beds to move patients to we could work like a proper emergency department."
At a public health watchdog meeting, Chris Jones, Swansea locality director of Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board, said there was an agreed investment in the department of five additional medical consultants for unscheduled care, geriatricians and respiratory physicians and additional nursing staff in A&E.
He said several million pounds worth of revenue would be invested in the department, and plans existed to increase the unit's actual size and up bed numbers between Morriston and Singleton by nearly 70.
An Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board spokeswoman added: "January was an exceptionally busy time for our emergency and unscheduled care services because of the knock-on effects of the extreme winter weather and high numbers of patients with flu and other chest infections who needed to be admitted.
"A key factor in ensuring that A&E operates smoothly is the ability to discharge patients effectively. Any patients who become delayed in hospital beds have a direct impact on our ability to see patients quickly, and we are working hard to improve our discharge processes."
She added: "ABM is also investing more than �1 million in new doctors, nurses and other staff to enable reduced waiting times in the Morriston A&E department and enhance patient flow.
"We are in the process of recruiting an additional five consultants — two in emergency medicine, and three for general/acute medicine.
"We have also just recently opened more beds at Morriston and Singleton Hospitals.
"There are also specific proposals being developed in Swansea to increase medical and trauma bed capacity on a permanent basis."
elizabeth.perkins@swwmedia.co.uk
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