70% wait less than one hour for A&E

SEVEN out of 10 patients at French accident and emergency wards are seen within an hour of arrival, a new report based on spot checks at more than 700 hospitals has revealed.

The study by official statistics body Drees measured the waiting times at 734 emergency wards on one randomly selected day of the year, as well as the total time spent in A&E.

90% of admissions had their details registered and an initial consultation with a nurse or doctor within 30 minutes, and 70% started to receive treatment within the first hour.

Waiting times were quickest when a patient had been transported to hospital by the pompiers or by ambulance - and for emergencies linked to pregnancy or suspected poisoning.

Under-15s were the age group who were seen the quickest. Over-75s were fast to receive their initial check but typically had a longer wait afterwards for treatment to begin.

Total time spent at A&E ranged from 74 minutes to more than four hours when patients needed X-rays or blood tests. Half of patients who needed a bed were found one within 15 minutes. One in ten had to wait up to four hours for a bed.