Report shows Blackpool Teaching Hospitals Trust struggling nationally

Blackpool Victoria Hospital’s performance in terms of 12-hour waits is currently the worst in the country, according to a latest report.

The report to this week’s meeting of the Blackpool Council’s Adult Social Care and Scrutiny Committee details the current performance metrics of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals (BTH) Trust which runs the hospital.

It says the Trust is facing some real challenges, some of which are hampering its performance.

They include delays in community and mental health provision and workforce gaps, exacerbated by winter pressures which are affecting all hospitals at present.

it also highlights diagnostic capacity limitations in diagnosing and treating illnesses.

The challenge with 12 hour waits – the time that patients have to wait in hospital before they get a ward bed – highlight the difficulties currently being faced.

However, the report also points to encouraging progress in patient flow (from first contact t discharge )and cancer treatment.

The Trust is putting strong emphasis n reducing waiting lists, improving data quality, stabilising the workforce, strengthening governance, and optimising the way patients progress from referral to being discharged.

The report covers four main domains: Urgent and Emergency Care; Elective Referral to Treatment Times; Cancer Standards and Diagnostic Waiting Times, with the BTH having an action plan for each area.

Urgent & Emergency Care (UEC)

The report says: “Blackpool Teaching Hospital remains challenged with the 12-hour performance and is performing currently as the worst nationally.

“Attendances (at the Emergency Department or A&E only) and admissions have reduced compared to April 2025, a positive trend supporting the 8% reduction ambition—although current activity levels remain above the March 2026 target trajectory.

“Whilst BTH has fewer attendances compared to other Lancashire Providers, the attendances via ambulance are on a par with the other providers and proportionately are the highest in Lancashire and ranked 10 highest nationally.

“Discharge processes are improving, supported by the opening of the Discharge Lounge, with daily utilisation improving.

“System pressures remain from delayed Transfer of Care Hub (TOCH) processes and limited community provision (health and social care), impacting flow and length of stay.

Key actions include: Securing additional community capacity and investment to maximise the impact of Care Coordination and a Mental health pathway redesign, including increased EMI (Elderly, Mental and Infirm) bed availability.

Elective (non-urgent) Recovery and Referral-to-Treatment

The report says: “Performance against the 18 weeks is showing signs of improvement, with 56.3% of patients being seen within 18 weeks in December, however this is below the plan target of 60.3%.

“The ambition is to be above 60% by the end of March 2026. The University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust performs the best in Lancashire, with BTH and Lancashire Teaching Hospital (LTH) performing in the lowest quartile nationally.

“There are small numbers of continued long waits (over 65 weeks) in some key specialities – Gynaecology, Cardiology and Cardiothoracic, but single figures in each specialty. These specialties continue to experience workforce pressures, diagnostic bottlenecks, or theatre constraints.

Key actions include: Recruitment actions across specialties to stabilise workforce gaps—e.g., EP consultant and fellow for Cardiology, replacement Breast surgeons.

Cancer Performance

The reprt states: “On the 28-Day Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS), BTH is improving but consistently sits below national standard (75%)

“Since a performance dip in May there has been month on month improvement, with a slight deterioration seen in December 2025 (68.6%). BTH is performing poorly both locally and nationally. •

“On the31-Day Standard BTH broadly maintained at or near compliance throughout the year. BTH is performing well from a Lancashire and national perspective. •

“The 62-Day Standard remains the most challenged, with significant negative variance since April—mainly due to workforce gaps, diagnostic delays and high demand. Some improvements seen in December and action plans are in place. BTH is performing poorly both locally and nationally.

“Pathways such as Breast, Urology, Gynaecology,  and Colorectal show variation in performance due to differing levels of capacity, diagnostic delays, and template pressures, all specialties have action plans and additional national funding supplied for Breast, Urology and Gynaecology.”

Key actions include: Continued NHSE and Cancer Alliance funding to maintain locum consultant cover and MDT (Multidisciplinary Team) coordination support. • Recruitment to substantive posts across tumour sites (Breast, Gastroenterology, Upper GI).

Diagnostics

The report notes: “Performance has been reduced across the year due to capacity constraints across some of the pathways.

“The December position was at at 68.6%. BTH and LTH both performing poorly both locally and nationally.

“Urodynamics delays arose due to PAS upgrade errors and workforce gaps, requiring validation and recruitment.

“MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) performance remains challenged due to radiologist shortages and cardiac demand; other MRI/CT modalities performing within target.

“NOUS (Ultrasound) shows strong recovery with improved booking processes but there are Audiology backlogs due to paused national services and insufficient workforce;

Key actions include: A complete validation and workforce recruitment for Urodynamics. Strengthening MRI workforce through job plan alignment and escalation of reporting delays. • Deploy Audiology and Echo insourcing to reduce backlog from Feb–Mar 2026.

Blackpool Council’s Adult Social Care and Scrutiny Committee, which meets on Wednesday (February 11), is asked to note the performance data, which is regularly reported to Blackpool Teaching Hospitals Trust Board and the key actions that are being taken to address and improve performance.