Whipps Cross A&E attendances fall for the first time since pandemic
Annual A&E attendances at Whipps Cross Hospital have fallen for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic – but more work is to be done for further reductions.
The Integrated Delivery Framework’s 2024/25 Annual Progress Report has shown attendance numbers during the 12 months before April 2025 have fallen by 3.6% compared with the year prior.
The framework, which was established in 2021, brings together NHS services, local authorities and community partners across Waltham Forest, Redbridge and West Essex. It aims to monitor transformation to ensure people receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
Speaking of the findings, Dr Remi Odejinmi, Medical Director for Whipps Cross Hospital, said: “These results show good progress and demonstrate the difference we can make when hospitals, primary care, community services, social care and voluntary organisations work as one system.
“However, while the trend in data is encouraging, the number of people coming to A&E who could be treated more appropriately elsewhere is still too high. I look forward to us working more collaboratively with partners to ensure safe and timely care for everyone when they need it.”
A growing ageing population and more patients with multiple long-term conditions means the hospital is seeing an increase in the complexity of cases and longer hospital stays.
Other key findings in the report, for the same time period, include:
- Urgent community response services seeing 70% of patients within 2 hours of referral – exceeding national standards.
- Growing numbers of patients benefitting from virtual consultations.
- Hospital at Home capacity expanding, with Waltham Forest’s frailty admissions to a virtual ward rising to 838 patients, with the average length of stay reducing from 12 days to 8.
- The Integrated Discharge Hub supporting 64% of patients to leave hospital within 24 hours – exceeding the 60% target.
Collaborative working between system partners is underway to ensure patients continue to receive safe and timely care that is monitored through the Integrated Delivery Framework.
“Together we can create a more responsive, sustainable health and care system that improves lives and reduces inequalities”, added Dr Odeinjmi.
Read the full progress report here.