SINCE we are not in the grip of a freezing winter or a disease epidemic, the apparent situation at Blackburn Royal Hospital A&E department is both puzzling and worrying.

A patient’s description of elderly people ‘queuing on stretchers waiting to be seen’ sounds like something from a war zone.

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust admits it is experiencing ‘unprecedented high demand’ and the ambulance service says it has been ‘extremely busy’ but does not want to comment on the situation at the hospital.

A matron speaks of ‘a high number of elderly, poorly patients.’ Meanwhile UNISON blames ‘chaos’ on Government NHS cuts and doctors speak of problems with patients dialling 999 when they are not in a life-threatening situation.

Whoever is correct, the fact is that Royal Blackburn is a comparatively new, showpiece complex which was referred to as a ‘super hospital’ when it opened.

In the absence of ice and snow, it is difficult for ordinary people to fathom why the place should be facing ‘a real challenge’ on a weekday when half-term has finished.

We need answers and to know what needs doing to put things right.