Recent board papers from University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust (UHDB) have highlighted significant pressures on their emergency and cancer services — and senior leaders have publicly apologised to patients experiencing long waits.
As a clinical negligence team, we know how worrying these issues can feel for patients and families. Here’s what has been happening, what it means for local people, and when delays may amount to substandard care.
A&E waits far above targets
UHDB has reported that around 14% of patients waited more than 12 hours in the emergency department during November — almost three times the Trust’s own 5% target.
Performance against the national four-hour A&E standard has also struggled:
- 68% of patients were seen within four hours, compared with a target of 78%.
Trust leaders described reducing waiting times as their “absolute priority”, acknowledging that many patients are waiting far longer than staff would wish. They apologised on behalf of the Trust for the impact this has had on those seeking care.
What’s causing the long waits?
According to the Trust, several factors are contributing to the sustained pressure:
1. A rise in patient numbers
The hospitals have seen slightly more attendances compared with last year, putting additional strain on emergency departments.
2. Delays discharging patients
When beds cannot be freed up quickly, patients admitted from A&E have nowhere to go — creating a bottleneck in the system.
3. Industrial action
Strike activity across the NHS has reduced capacity in some areas, adding to delays.
4. Winter-related injuries and early flu season
An increase in slips, trips and falls during cold weather has pushed up demand for trauma and orthopaedic services. This coincided with an unusually early and severe flu season.
Clinicians described this combination of factors as a “unique strain” on the system.
Ambulance handover delays are also rising
The Trust reported that one in four ambulances experienced handover delays of more than 45 minutes in November. These delays can leave emergency crews tied up outside hospitals and patients waiting longer to receive treatment inside the building.
Concerns about cancer treatment waiting times
The pressures extend beyond emergency care. UHDB has struggled to meet national cancer targets, with only 58% of patients starting treatment within 62 days, compared to the national target of 74%.
As a result, the Trust has been placed back under national regulatory oversight for this area.
Efforts are underway to improve earlier diagnosis and speed up treatment pathways.
Steps being taken to improve performance
The Trust has mentioned several initiatives to help reduce waiting times and prevent missed appointments:
- A new digital “bot” that contacts patients when short-notice appointment slots become available.
- Improved text reminders, which the Trust says have led to around 2,300 extra patients being seen each month compared to last year.
- Reviews into how long waits may be worsening health inequalities, particularly for people in more deprived areas.
- A broader focus on early patient contact and preventing long delays from becoming the “new normal”.
Despite these efforts, the Trust is also forecasting a £28 million financial deficit, which leaders have described as a serious concern.
What this means for patients
Most people receive safe and appropriate care, even during busy periods. However, extremely long waits in A&E or missed opportunities for early diagnosis can — in some cases — lead to avoidable harm.
Examples of potential clinical negligence issues arising from delays may include:
- Significant deterioration while waiting in A&E
- Delayed diagnosis of serious conditions (e.g., sepsis, stroke, heart attack)
- Worsening injuries due to slow ambulance handovers
- Cancer diagnosis or treatment delays leading to poorer outcomes
Comment
At a time when the NHS is under immense pressure, long delays in emergency and cancer care can have a profound impact on patients and their families. While many people still receive excellent treatment, prolonged waits increase the risk of conditions being missed, diagnoses being delayed and outcomes worsening.
If you feel that delays in your care have caused avoidable harm, we’re here to listen, guide you and help you understand whether you may have a clinical negligence claim. No one should be left feeling unsure about their rights or their options.
How can we help?
Danielle Young is a Partner in our Medical Negligence team, which has been ranked in tier one by the independently researched publication, The Legal 500. She specialises in pregnancy and birth injury claims (including cerebral palsy), brain injury claims, fatal claims, surgical error claims, and cauda equina injury claims.
If you have any questions in relation to the subjects discussed in this article, then please get in touch with Danielle or another member of the team in Derby, Leicester, or Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form.
Contact us