Trusts must hit new A&E target to access capital fund

Providers must meet two thresholds which go beyond the targets set in this year’s planning guidance to secure a share of the money, as part of NHSE’s winter plan set out in a letter sent to NHS leaders this week.

System leaders admitted the thresholds were “stretching” and because the targets are based on performance this winter, funding would not be accessible until 2024-25.

The thresholds are to achieve an average of 80 per cent against the four-hour accident and emergency target in quarter four of 2023-24, and to complete at least 90 per cent of ambulance handovers within 30 minutes during quarters three and four.

The 2023-24 planning guidance set trusts a 76 per cent target for four-hour performance, while only five acute trusts recorded performance above 80 per cent in the three months to June, the latest quarter.

The high performing A&E trusts were Northumbria Healthcare, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Trust, Harrogate and District, Dorset County Hospital and Blackpool Teaching Hospitals foundation trusts.

The planning guidance set no specific targets for ambulance handovers, although reducing these has been a key priority for the NHS’s urgent and emergency care recovery.

However, in June, 90 per cent of ambulance handovers across England were completed in 48 minutes 47 seconds, underlining how challenging the 30 minute threshold will be for trusts to meet.

The letter, sent by NHSE’s director for urgent and emergency care Sarah-Jane Marsh, said: “We recognise that these are stretching targets but know that many providers will be able to achieve these to help the NHS as a whole make greater headway towards improving care for patients,” NHSE said in a letter to system and trust chiefs.

“Providers should already be putting measures in place which will contribute towards reaching these, including a greater focus on the longest times in department, particularly those spending longer than 12-hours, and wider system flow.”

In an interview with HSJ earlier this week, Ms Marsh said: “Winter is about making sure we keep everybody safe. It’s not necessarily about hitting targets and trajectories.

“But we know there are trusts who are doing well against key targets that could do more with some stretch and incentivisation.”