'Worst' ever day at Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital as only 60 per cent of patients seen within four hours

More than 100 patients had to wait more than four hours as ambulances were forced to queue outside the Wednesfield hospital.

In a record-breaking day on Sunday, 161 ambulances arrived at the A&E department – including one 15-minute spell where 10 ambulances turned up.

Around 360 patients came through the doors – one every four minutes – with some having to be treated in corridors as nurses struggled to cope with the demand.

Just 60 per cent of the patients were seen within four hours against a national target of 95 per cent.

More than 600 operations have been cancelled this year at New Cross and A&E attendances have rocketed almost 10 per cent.

Chief executive David Loughton said Sunday was the worst day the hospital ever had.

"It's pretty horrendous at the moment," he said. "We'd urge anyone who isn't seriously ill not to come to A&E.

"In particular we've had a few people with flu turn up at A&E and they really shouldn't be there. Anyone who has those symptoms should go to a pharmacy or stay at home.

"If anyone is unsure they should phone the NHS 111 advice line." The latest figures cap an incredibly busy year at the Wednesfield hospital, which has taken on extra patients, staff and services following the fallout of the Mid-Staffordshire NHS Trust being dissolved.

A shortage of beds has led to dozens of operations being cancelled every month. Ambulances now take patients to New Cross from areas such as Cannock, where they would previously have gone to Stafford Hospital, meaning space is in short supply.

Chiefs hope a new £30 million Emergency Centre opening in November 2015 will transform the A&E fortunes, while a move to send all non-emergency surgery to Cannock from February is also expected to ease pressure.