AMBULANCES had to queue to admit patients after East Lancashire’s only A and E department was stretched to breaking point.

Queues formed yesterday as hospital bosses said they were experiencing ‘a huge surge in demand’ and urged non-emergency cases to stay away.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The influx comes after it was revealed the emergency department at Royal Blackburn Hospital admitted 600 patients on Monday, double the usual demand for this time of year.

Medics saw 600 patients in a 24 hour period compared to the anticipated 400.

And yesterday hospital bosses said 350 people had already turned up for treatment by 4pm.

The exact reason for the increase could not be identified by hospital bosses.

Claims the hospital had been forced to temporarily close it’s emergency department because of the huge demand was denied and a spokesman for East Lancashire NHS Trust confirmed no one had been turned away.

Last night staff were working to free up beds, but said patients would only be discharged when it was safe to do so.

Gillian Simpson, director of operations at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “I would urge people to only come to A and E if they really need to be here as we have seen a huge surge in demand over the past 48 hours.

“However, we are working extremely hard to safely discharge those patients who do not need an acute hospital bed so we can admit those waiting in our A and E department who do.

“We continue to ensure that those who need urgent medical care are seen as a priority and there are a number of other options of where to go to receive medical attention if you need it.”

The Trust said 27 patients admitted yesterday had to wait for over four hours to receive treatment at Royal Blackburn Hospital’s emergency department and urgent care centre.

Hyndburn and Haslingden MP Graham Jones had Tweeted earlier in the day that the hospital had temporarily closed because of ‘seven hour queues’ and that 11 ambulances we waiting outside to deliver patients.

The Trust did confirm that four ambulances were waiting to check in patients but said the figure of 11 was inaccurate.

But Mr Jones said the strain on resources was because of underfunding from the Government and a lack of alternative resources for patients.

He said: “There is a crisis in A and E departments nationally and Royal Blackburn Hospital A and E has been struggling for a while to cope with the needs of patients.

“This is about pressure points.

“Firstly it’s the number of people who are reporting ill to A and E and secondly there is a lack of primary care alternatives. That is why it is crucial that the Accrington walk-in centre, which served over 34,000 patients last year, remains open.

“The Government has also got to invest more to give hospitals the resources they need.”

County Cllr Azhar Ali, health and wellbeing cabinet member for Lancashire County Council, said: “I am not surprised by this, following the decision to close the accident and emergency at Chorley.

“People will not travel to the Royal Preston Hospital because it’s bursting at the seams and now we have the same thing at the Royal Blackburn.

“This is all down to government cuts to the NHS which have left us with needing to recruit doctors and nurses.

“In East Lancashire we also have a shortage of GPs so if people can’t get an appointment then they will turn up at A&E.”

Dr Damian Riley, Medical Director at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Hospitals can become very busy.

“We have been seeing very high levels of demand and as a result our A and E department is very busy.

“It is really vital that we keep A and E free for those who really need it for medical emergencies.

“Wherever possible we urge people to see their pharmacist or their own GP first.

“When we are very busy like this it means that waiting times are increased as the sickest patients are given priority.”

Dr Riley urged people to phone the NHS telephone advice line on 111 or contact their GP in non-emergency medical cases.