Long waits at Russells Hall Hospital A&E

Waiting times at A&E in the borough are well below the required target, with almost 32 per cent of patients waiting longer than the limit of four hours.

The latest board report from The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, released this month, shows that just 68.7 per cent of patients seen in December 2018 were seen within the four hour waiting time.

The emergency access standard is for 95 per cent of patients to be seen, treated, admitted or discharged within four hours.

Figures in the report showed that 9,019 people attended the emergency department during the month of December, but that 2,819 - or 32.3 per cent - were left waiting more than four hours with their injuries.

The combined Trust and UCC (Urgent Care Centre) performance came in at 81.4 per cent, still below the target of 95.

Trust bosses have said often a lot of patients come to A&E who could be seen elsewhere, such as a GP or pharmacy - meaning the department gets extremely busy.

Diane Wake, chief executive at the Trust said: "In line with NHS England rules we are measured for ED and the Urgent Care Centre combined, as they are co-located on site, and our performance figure for December was 81.4 per cent.

"Our ED is extremely busy at the moment and lots of patients coming who could be seen more appropriately elsewhere will prevent us from treating the most unwell patients quickly.

"We ask people to consider other health professionals such as their local pharmacist or doctors’ surgery. Dudley GP practices have extended their opening hours for bookable appointments from 6.30pm to 8pm Monday to Friday. Weekend appointments are also available.

"If you’re not sure which the best service is for you, call NHS 111 for advice.

"Our staff are absolutely committed to providing the safest possible care to all of our patients and I wish to thank them for working incredibly hard in the most challenging circumstances."