BARNSLEY MP Michael Dugher has criticised the government’s handling of NHS emergency care after official figures show Barnsley Hospital’s A and E waiting times are increasing.

Over the last four months, patients at Barnsley A and E have faced longer waiting times, with the number of people seen in less than four hours standing at just 86.7 per cent Ð missing the government’s own target of 95 per cent.

Previous data showed 87.2 per cent of people being seen within four hours during February, 89 per cent in January and 92.8 per cent in December of last year.

Seeing 95 per cent of patients within four hours or less is a key government target for A and E departments, but the national average for March was 87.3 per cent.

Mr Dugher says the latest figures show that the hospital is missing both the target and falling below the national average.

Read more in this weeks Barnsley Chronicle