What is it about?
This paper examines Accident & Emergency (A&E) performance across the NHS in England between 2010 and 2014. Using national data, it looks at how patient volumes, waiting times, and seasonal trends affect whether hospitals meet the NHS target of treating 95% of patients within four hours. The study also considers whether adopting Lean principles, a management approach focused on efficiency and continuous improvement, can help A&E departments improve performance.
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Why is it important?
The NHS has struggled to consistently meet its A&E performance objectives, with waiting times increasing as demand continues to grow. While patient numbers are clearly a factor, the analysis shows that seasonal variation and systemic inefficiencies also play a role. Lean transformation, if applied effectively, could make the NHS more responsive, efficient, and reliable, helping patients get faster and better care.
Perspectives
We have long been interested in how proven management methods like Lean can be adapted to healthcare. This research shows that while patient demand is a challenge, the real opportunity lies in improving efficiency and resource management. For us, the findings confirm that Lean is not just about cutting waste, it’s about ensuring patients get the care they need, when they need it.
Dr Krish Saha
Birmingham City University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Observing the NHS’s A&E performance objectives: is lean the cure?, International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, September 2016, Emerald,
DOI: 10.1108/ijqrm-02-2015-0016.
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