Reduction in 12-hour trolley waits at York and Scarborough

​The number of people waiting for 12 hours or longer on trolleys at the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s emergency departments is at its lowest rate in months.

​Last month, 77 people were recorded as waiting more than 12 hours, down from 237 people in March, 406 people in February, and 930 people in January.

​Martin Barkley, chair of the NHS Trust, described the reduction as “incredible”.

​Speaking at a board meeting on Wednesday, May 27, he said: “We are down to double figures from four figures when I arrived [at the trust in 2023]. Absolutely amazing, so thank you.”

​However, figures presented to health bosses stated that 5.9 per cent of Type 1 patients spent over 12 hours in emergency departments in April 2026, behind the trust’s monthly target of 5 per cent.

​In the latest available national data – for March 2026 – the Trust ranked 54th out of 118 providers compared to 62nd in February.

Scarborough Hospital Uecc. Courtesy Numminen/Ldrs

​“The emergency assessment units (EAU) have supported a reduction in patients spending over 12 hours in ED.

​“This is because medical patients awaiting admission are being managed in the emergency assessment unit by acute physicians and receiving timely senior reviews,” a report presented at the board meeting notes.

​“In order to maximise this opportunity, there needs to be a continued flow out of EAU through both discharges home and admission to the main bed base. Work to refine these pathways continues since this is important for managing flow and eradicating corridor care.”

​At the meeting, health bosses were also warned of potential risks to the improvement, including high levels of bed occupancy.

York Hospital. Courtesy Numminen/LDRS

​According to a report, the capacity required on wards could be higher than the escalation spaces can support.

​“Community health and social care capacity remains challenged and while the new model reduces patients waiting 12 hours in ED, some patients are waiting for the same time in EAU, which can quickly become full if patients are not discharged or moved to acute medical units and/or the main bed base.”

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