A COUNCILLOR has compared waiting times and a lack of beds at Royal Blackburn Hospital A&E to facilities in a ‘developing country’.

After visiting A&E when a family member was in an accident, Cllr Noordad Aziz demanded action from the government in an open letter to Hyndburn MP Graham Jones.

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The Hyndburn Council representative for Netherton said he was ‘shocked’ at having to wait more than six hours before a doctor saw his relative.

However, he did praise staff for being ‘outstanding’ in every instance.

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust said there was ‘severe pressure’ nationally and staff have responded ‘commendably’ in ‘extremely difficult’ circumstances.

In his letter to Mr Jones, Cllr Aziz said: “When we arrived at 8.45am on Sunday, we were told to expect a wait of more than six hours before a doctor could see us.

“Later we were met with more than 25 patients on trolleys in corridors waiting to be assessed.

“We were dealt with after eight hours and left just before 5pm.

“This is simply unacceptable. This reminded me of a scene one would expect in a developing country.

“I must commend and applaud the NHS staff though. They were simply outstanding and were going beyond the call of duty.

“I hope you can highlight the issues at the highest level.”

Cllr Aziz said that the closure of other A&E and minor injury units, driven by government cuts, was shifting the burden onto other sites.

Mr Jones said he agreed the closure of Chorley A&E had created a problem.

He said: “I have raised this issue before about Royal Blackburn being under resourced.

“The staff are doing everything they can to try and meet demand and it does not help that Chorley A&E shut.

“It is unfortunate that this family like many others have had to suffer a Tory NHS crisis.

“I will continue to press this in Parliament and fight for a better NHS.”

Cllr Aziz’s letter came after the Red Cross claimed the NHS was facing a ‘humanitarian crisis’.

Kevin McGee, chief executive at East Lancashire Hospitals Trust, said: “The NHS is experiencing severe pressure nationally with a high number of very poorly patients requiring A&E services.

“Staff at the Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital and throughout our organisation have responded commendably in these extremely difficult circumstances.

“They are working extremely hard to see and treat everyone safely and effectively and I would like to thank them for their dedication and assure patients that we are doing everything we can.

“We also carefully triage all patients to ensure that those with the most urgent clinical needs are prioritised.” This may result in delays at busier times for patients with less serious conditions or injuries.”