A&E figures up by 800 at New Cross Hospital
The overflowing accident and emergency department at Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital saw almost 800 extra patients pour through its doors in April compared to the same month last year.
Hospital bosses say attendance numbers at the under-pressure unit were up by 773.
The department recently recorded the busiest-ever day in its history on April 17 when 365 patients came through its doors.
It also set an all-time monthly record in March with a total of 9,300 patients.
In a report, chief operating officer Gwen Nuttall said: "Accident and emergency saw another challenging month with an additional 773 attendances on the same period last year. This is an 8.6 per cent increase and the equivalent of an additional 2.5 days attendances during the month."
Figures also show 91 per cent of A&E patients were seen within four hours in April – four per cent below the UK target.
Fears are growing nationally over accident and emergency departments after the NHS admitted services have 'deteriorated significantly'.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has reportedly asked for an extra £400m to cope with the increasing number of patients seeking emergency treatment.
A&E departments have been called 'war zones' by the College of Emergency Medicine, which also said that many services across Britain have reached 'tipping point'.
This follows a warning from the Care Quality Commission that A&E departments are out of control. The watchdog said something needed to be done. The problems have been blamed on a significant increase in the numbers of people visiting A&E and difficulties recruiting staff.
