MKFM discussed waiting times with Milton Keynes Hospital CEO Joe Harrison last night (19 December) in an exclusive on-air interview.
Currently, issues are being raised across the country in regards to hospital waiting times with NHS England saying that nationally the figures were the worst since records began 17 years ago.
NHS targets suggest that 95% of patients should be seen within four hours, these targets were last reached in July 2015.
MKFM spoke to Milton Keynes Hospital CEO, Professor Joe Harrison, who said: "It is unfortunately a record breaking time for us. We are seeing record breaking numbers of patients turning up at the Emergency Department and the staff are doing the best possible job they can to cope with the pressures."
He continued: "There is a sense that at some point we would have treated everybody in Milton Keynes, everyday."
The Hospital CEO told MKFM that currently, 8/10 people are seen within 4 hours at the Emergency Department at Milton Keynes University Hospital.
"That is not as good as the national target says we should be doing," Professor Joe Harrison explained.
"We are without question one of the best performing in the country in relation to how quickly we see people but nevertheless we still ask patients to wait at time a considerable amount of time which we know is not helpful."
Currently (20 december), strike action is taking place across the UK affecting hospital's and ambulance services. It comes as the Royal College of Nursing calls for a 19.2% pay rise.
Around a quarter of hospitals and community teams in England are taking part in the strike, alongside all trusts in Northern Ireland and all but one health board in Wales.
MKFM understands that Milton Keynes is not expected to be affected by the strike action.
Why are nurses in Milton Keynes not striking?
Professor Joe Harrison has told MKFM that there is a requirement for 50% of those nurses eligible to vote, to vote for strikes. In Milton Keynes only 43% decided to vote which means legally they are not allowed to take strike action.
At the moment, Milton Keynes University Hospital is not expected to be affected by the strike action across the rest of the country.
"We do know that our physiotherapists have voted to strike," Joe Harrison said. "So our expectation is that there will be strike days for those members of staff.
"We will see what the New Year brings, as always, we respect the right of any individual to take part in industrial action."
He said: " We keep our fingers crossed that we can continue to deliver safe services to our patients."
Residents are being urged to continue to use the emergency services as normal.
"We want to make sure that people hear the message loud and clear, the NHS is open, is available to look after the sick patients like we do everyday."
You can read more here: Milton Keynes Hospital not expected to be affected by nurse and ambulance strikes this week, CEO tells MKFM
