NEW FIGURES reveal almost a quarter of Accident and Emergency patients wait more than four hours at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.
Statistics released last week by the Welsh Government showed that 24 per cent of Accident and Emergency visitors at the Bodelwyddan hospital were not treated within four hours.
Darren Millar, AM for Clwyd West, blasted the results, saying that national targets have not been met once in the last three years.
Targets state that 95 per cent of patients should seen within four hours and 99 per cent within eight hours.
He said: “It’s a very sad situation when you can almost guarantee that the latest evidence will show targets have been missed again.
“Excessive waits in A & E departments should not be dismissed or swept under the carpet. This is a worrying trend that can often result in distress - particularly for the elderly, young children and the chronically ill.
“Today’s figures are down on the same time last year, yet other parts of the UK continue to hit - and even surpass - their target waiting times. I want us out of this rut.”
In Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, three per cent of visitors wait more than eight hours in the department.
Across the Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board, which also has responsibility for the Wrexham Maelor and Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor, 86 per cent of patients are seen within four hours and 98 per cent of patients are seen within eight hours.
A Health Board spokeswoman said: “Although there has been a gradual improvement in both the waiting and ambulance handover times, the Health Board is very concerned about the delays being experienced by patients in accessing emergency care.
“A number of measures to improve the situation have been put in place such as additional staff and the establishment of Clinical Decision Units. We are also working closely with Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust (WAST) to ensure the effective and timely handover of patients.”
The spokeswoman added there were detailed plans being made to improve the Emergency Department at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.