BOLTON health chiefs have defended the work of the Royal Bolton Hospital as it strives to hit waiting times targets.

The hospital’s A&E has been challenged to see, on average, at least 90 percent of people attending within four hours throughout September.

Concerns were raised by Bolton NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) that the target would not be met and result in fines.

However, bosses at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust – which runs the hospital – had a more positive outlook though certain admissions were causing problems.

Trust chief officer Dr Jackie Bene said staff were working hard but a delay of more than four hours for a patient with a minor injury resulted in a five percent penalty to the 90 percent average.

She said: “There is an increase of minors on a Sunday and it’s too much for staff sometimes.

“Even though we have an average of 90 percent this week and last, it could become a problem because of the minors.

“We are on track for the target, so what happens at the weekend is crucial.”

Teams throughout the hospital have been working hard to improve the performances at A&E by freeing up beds and making sure patients do not stay in the hospital longer than necessary.

Dr Bene added: “We believe we can do this and most days we are hitting 90 percent.

“There’s a big board in A&E showing the performance. When they get to 88 percent they say ‘yes we can get to 90!’ It’s really motivating.”

Despite running an effective A&E screening program with the support of the CCG, problems still arise due to people attending A&E and insisting on being treated by staff there rather than see a GP.

Chief operating officer Andy Ennis explained: “Appointments are available. I went straight to the waiting room and offered appointments. I warned there would be a four to five hour wait here but I can arrange a GP appointment now, and all they say is ‘no I’ll wait here’.”

After attending a conference in London chaired by health secretary Jeremy Hunt and NHS chief executive Simon Stevens, trust chairman David Wakefield said they warned of a “dangerous” flu from Australia and New Zealand which could lead to a ‘disastrous’ winter if trusts were not prepared .

He added: “You have got to be on planet Mars not to know that A&Es around the country are a worry.

“The challenges exist for us as they do for everyone else and we will do our best.”