FIGURES published by York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust have shown it has struggled with some targets this year.

Between April and September this year the trust narrowly failed to meet the national target of dealing with 95 per cent of A&E patients in under four hours, hitting 93.9 and 92.6 per cent in the first and second quarter.

Meanwhile, only 45.6 per cent of patients and then 78.6 per cent of patients showing symptoms of breast cancer were seen within the two-week limit after being referred by a GP, according to figures due to be discussed at City of York Council’s health overview and scrutiny meeting next week. These problems are understood to have primarily been at Scarborough Hospital.

In August an investigation into emergency care and breast cancer referral times was opened by government watchdog Monitor at the hospital trust. However, earlier this month Monitor has said it is closing its formal investigation as it is satisfied improvements have been made.

The figures also show 86.1 per cent of all suspected cancer referrals were seen within the target of two weeks between April and June and 85.8 per cent between July and September.

There have been 22 cases of Clostridium Difficile at the trust in the first half of this year.