Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he (a) is taking to ensure that Southend University Hospital meets the Government’s A&E waiting time target; and if he will make a statement.

National Health Service foundation trusts, such as Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, are free from central government control. They are overseen by Monitor, the health sector regulator. In June 2014, the Trust’s accident and emergency department (A&E) was one of the worst performing A&Es in England. Monitor therefore took regulatory action against the Trust, requiring it to implement a credible plan to improve A&E services and improve staffing within the A&E.

From July to September 2014 (Quarter 2 of trusts’ reporting cycle) the Trust was one of the best performers against the A&E waiting time standard in the East of England, with a performance of 96.2% against the standard that 95% of patients should be admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours of arrival at A&E.

From October to December 2014 (Quarter 3 of trusts’ reporting cycle) the Trust’s performance against the A&E waiting time standard was 92.4%. This was better than the average Essex-wide acute hospital performance, at 89.3%, and the average Midlands and East performance at 90.5%.

The Trust is working with the wider system to achieve the A&E four hour waiting time standard, and Monitor will continue to hold the Trust to account and step in if further regulatory action is appropriate.

The Government has given the NHS a record £700 million of additional support to ensure urgent and emergency care services are sustainable year-round and ready for the pressures of winter. The Government is also acting to ease the pressure on A&E departments by supporting faster discharge from hospitals. We have given a ring-fenced grant totalling £37 million to councils, to help prevent delayed discharges.

For the longer term, NHS England’s urgent and emergency care review is looking at ways to improve the system, including easing pressures on A&E departments.