Dudley’s main hospital has been put on “red alert” after a watchdog found it had repeatedly missed targets for accident and emergency waiting times.

Independent regulator Monitor has warned bosses at Russells Hall Hospital they could face “formal intervention” if improvements are not made.

It is expected that 98 per cent of A&E patients should be seen within four hours.

But the hospital narrowly missed the target with 97.96 per cent seen in that time in September. Targets were also missed between October 2008 and March 2009 and between July and September this year.

The trust has admitted it does not expect to meet the required goals for the final three months of the year.

Monitor has now written to Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust chairman Alf Edwards about its concerns and asked for monthly updates and meetings with bosses.

It acknowledged that some progress had been made.

Reassuring patients Chief Executive Paula Clark said the breaches did not relate to clinical treatment or quality of care. She added: We are working hard to get back on track.”

The hospital recently announced a recruitment drive to find up to 60 extra staff.