HOSPITALS across Wales felt the effect of increased pressure on A&E units last month, with performance against four-hour waiting times worsening in most areas.

In November no health board in Wales met the four-hour target, according to the latest figures.

And although Gwent’s units recorded the second best performance against that four-hour A&E target at 89.8 per cent, it was several percentage points short of achieving it.

Emergency departments across Wales have been extremely busy in recent weeks, a situation mirrored across much of the rest of the UK, and yesterday’s A&E figures for English hospitals were the worse in the four years that detailed records have been kept.

Increases in what are known as ‘major’ cases coming into A&E, are a big issue, across Wales. Major cases are more pressing and often more complex, requiring the input of more staff.

The increase in major cases reflects changing demographics, with an increasing older population. Older people who come into A&E tend to present with more than one health problem, and dealing with the immediate issue also involves taking into account the effect on an existing underlying condition.

Once again, waits of more than 12 hours for A&E patients rose, again reflecting a Wales-wide trend.

The last three months have seen the highest number of waits of over 12 hours in Gwent emergency departments since April 2013.