A report of the findings of a 1-year study of the waiting times among patients attending an accident and emergency department.

The aim of this study was to enable a research-based standard to be set in relation to waiting times. This would be in accordance with the recommendations of the Patient's Charter (Department of Health 1992). The study was undertaken with the cooperation of the staff of the Accident and Emergency (A & E) department, within an acute unit in the Oxford region. Between 1 January and 31 December 1992 a random sample of 230 casualty cards were drawn and analyzed. Analysis showed that 90.5% of patients in the sample were assessed by a nurse at or within 10 minutes of arrival, and 83.25% of patients in the sample were seen by the doctor at or within 60 minutes of arrival.