Any MMers with very niche knowledge of A&E 4hr standard

[Parcelle]

Our local hospital has very good performance figures for meeting their 4hr target.

I went there yesterday (advised to by GP). As the clock approached 4hrs, I was asked to move from the waiting room to another room adjacent to A&E (which was just a smaller waiting room). I then sat there waiting for results/discharge home.

In total I was at the hospital for around 7 hrs. So 3 hrs past the 4hr target. But...when they moved me to the other waiting room they technically discharged me from A&E and I was classed as “admitted” for 3 hrs.

Correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t this just fiddling with figures to meet a target? My journey from start to finish was 7hrs regardless of what room I was in. I was still waiting on a decision so how could they discharge me?

I know in the grand scheme of things this is small fry but it’s been bugging me since I left!

[june2007]

Yes it,s a way to fiddle the figures. You see a triage nurse but then you wait for hours but you have seen someone with in those first 4 hours.

[MrsRexVandeKamp]

The SLA promises to see you within 4 hours, not treat you. So they've seen you, checked it's not an immediate threat and treated you as per priorities.

Not great, but not sure how else they could do it!

[Parcelle]

The standard isn’t to see you in 4 hours, it’s see/treat/discharge or admit

[Hopefulhen]

You were admitted though, just to a short stay unit. Sometimes it is definitely used as a way to keep the stats in their favour but often it is necessary.
Why were you still at the hospital? If you had been seen but were waiting on another doctor/ for a procedure it was probably reasonable.