A&E performing better than last year but missed targets an ongoing concern, say medical leaders

Clinical leaders have urged the NHS to renew its commitment to meeting key performance targets after figures showed that the service remained in breach in most areas.

Latest NHS England performance statistics1 show slightly improved emergency department performance compared with last winter, with 86.4% of patients seen in four hours in December 2018 compared with 85% in December 2017. The NHS also saw 3.9% more people within the four hour target in December 2018 compared with last year. This followed extra preparation ahead of winter, coupled with mild weather and low flu rates in December.

But the service continues to be in breach of most key targets. In December 2018, only five major …