With pressures on accident and emergency departments hitting the headlines recently, John Appleby, Chief Economist at The King’s Fund, looks at the facts behind A&E attendances and waiting times.

1. Accident and emergency services: A
barometer of pressure on the NHS?
John Appleby
Chief Economist, The King’s Fund

2. Introduction
Pressures on accident and emergency (A&E)
departments have hit the headlines recently
Many arguments about what the figures show
and who is responsible
But what are the facts behind A&E attendances?
This slideshow looks at attendance and waiting
times data over time

10. Conclusions
There is no doubt that there was severe pressure in A&E
and urgent and emergency care at the beginning of this
year
The reasons for this are not fully understood but will
involve a number of factors
The pressures in emergency care will not be relieved by
focusing on a single aspect of the problem - it requires a
co-ordinated response across the whole health system.