BARNSLEY Hospital’s emergency department has ranked first in the country for seeing patients within the four-hour waiting time target.
The hospital took the top spot out of 131 health trusts in September, reaching a 98.6 per cent performance according to figures released by NHS England.
The hospital’s performance - a target which it hit over 45 consecutive days - was achieved despite attendances at the emergency department rising by about 12 per cent this year.
The four-hour waiting time target is that at least 95 per cent of patients attending the emergency department should be admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours.
Dr Richard Jenkins, the hospital’s chief executive said: “We are delighted by our excellent performance. It is the result of eight months of hard work by our staff and partners across the town.
“Performance has improved progressively since January with the target being hit in three of the last four months. I’m incredibly proud of our staff who consistently work to make sure we give our patients the very best experience when they come to us.
“We’re already on track for continuing this level of performance with October running at more than 95 per cent.”
