A CONTROVERSIAL move which could force sick patients to wait longer to be examined at hospital casualty units was today blasted by health watchdogs.

NHS bosses want to extend the target time for assessment after patients arrive at accident and emergency units from within five to 15 minutes.

The proposal has been prompted by many hospitals in the UK failing to meet the five-minute Patient's Charter standard.

A leaked document has revealed that the NHS Executive is proposing to lengthen the national assessment target to within 15 minutes, except for patients who need "immediate" treatment.

But health watchdog leader Nigel Robinson today attacked the plan which could leave patients lingering in pain for longer.

Mr Robinson, chief officer of Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Community Health Council (CHC) said: "What I cannot understand is who will determine which patients need 'immediate' assessment.

"Patients brought in by ambulance will be assessed, but what worries me is who will examine the many patients who walk into casualty. "I think it is a retrograde step. Some accident and emergency units are not meeting the standard, so the goalposts are going to be moved. Patients will simply not benefit."

And Burnley CHC chairman, Coun Frank Clifford, blasted the NEC Executive move which he saw as another attempt to "massage the figures."

"Being seen in five or 15 minutes means nothing when you may be waiting two hours to be actuually treated.

"Emergency care should not be about league tables - it should be ensuring proper funding and a high level of care - targets which are not always being met by local A and E departments," he added.

The proposed new standard may also include the development of a national "priority category" for patients arriving at casualty units, although most hospitals already have their own pecking order system.

Organisations have until January 31 to respond to the proposals.

East Lancashire hospitals have had little trouble in meeting the current assessment target.

Last year 97 per cent of patients were assessed within five minutes of arriving at Blackburn Royal Infirmary, while in Burnley the figure was 91 per cent.

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