AN often-missed target to treat more than three-quarters of patients in accident and emergency departments within a four-hour window has finally been met by Barnsley Hospital’s team of staff - and they’ve become one of just a handful across the country to achieve it.
Since 2010, the NHS standard was for 95 per cent of patients to be seen within four hours.
However, as part of a recovery plan following the Covid-19 pandemic, the health service revised its objective for 78 per cent of patients to be admitted, discharged or transferred by this spring.
The objective was not met, with month-by-month figures showing the success rate fluctuated between 63 per cent and 72 per cent, consistently falling short.
Having had its timeframe extended to hopefully hit the 78 per cent mark by next March, the Chronicle can reveal that for the first time since its implementation, Barnsley’s A and E department hit its target last month.
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS national medical director, said the figures show the health service is making progress.
“We’re always there for patients - no matter what is thrown its way,” she said.
“We continue to encourage anyone with worrying symptoms and concerns to come forward for care and as always, to only use 999 and A and E in life-threatening emergencies with 111 available for other conditions.”
A multi-pronged project for Barnsley was outlined which included working with regular visitors’ GPs, developing a new clinical assessment service, a re-direction team which will signpost A and E patients to alternative areas and an in-depth review of flow, admission and re-admission rates.
The hospital’s already invested in its workforce within the emergency department, recruiting their own GP workforce to deliver the ‘GP Streaming’ service for primary care-type presentations that ‘walk in’.
Investment has also gone into the paediatric service, expanding the service to operate between 7am and midnight now, rather than a 12-hour service.
‘Significant challenges’ at the beginning of the week remain, with attendances at 300-plus on a Monday for 49 out of 52 weeks in the year across 2023/24, with similar patterns consistent throughout 2025 thus far.
In August, a total of 9,177 people came through its doors, compared with July’s 9,349 and June’s 9,243.
A spokesperson from Barnsley Hospital added: “It takes a whole hospital approach to improve waiting times in A and E.
“Teams throughout the trust, often working hand-in-hand with partner organisations in the community, have been focusing on processes within their specialism which have a direct impact on the flow of patients into, and out of, the hospital.
“We are hugely grateful to the people who have worked hard to make this change possible.
“This latest programme of work is a ‘system-wide’ approach across Barnsley health and care partners.
“It is recognised that a whole system response is the solution to easing pressures at A and E, and obtaining the best health and care outcomes.
”Barnsley achieved 78.3 per cent for four-hour performance in August 2025.
“Since July, we have been running a quality improvement programme called ‘Be the Best’.
“The quality improvement programme is ensuring a trust-wide focus and response to improving the four-hour emergency care standard.
“This is an important measure for patient safety and timely access to urgent and emergency care that is nationally monitored.
“Members of the public and patients can help by only attending A and E in an emergency - if you do not need emergency care, you can get other sources of support and advice by calling 111, visiting 111.nhs.uk, or using the NHS app.
“Pharmacists can provide some prescription medications, and you may be able to speak to your GP online or over the phone, or go in for an appointment.
“It’s really important for everyone to know about these options particularly during the busier winter period.”
