RECORD numbers of patients have received emergency treatment at Basildon Hospital as temperatures soar.

Despite the huge pressure on the A&E department this summer, the trust has managed to meet national targets in the majority of cases.

The success rate, which includes more than 95 per cent of patients being seen by a doctor or nurse within four hours, has led to Basildon Hospital being named the best performing trust for emergency care in the whole of the Midlands and East of England.

According to official figures, an average of 353 patients per day visited the A&E department during April, May and June.

The record for the number of patients attending Basildon Hospital for emergency treatment was broken on Monday, June 22, when 440 people walked through its doors.

Hospital bosses admit the pressure looks set to continue over the coming summer months, when admissions increase because of accidents caused by gardening, bbq's and people tripping over in flip-flops.

Nigel Kee, chief operating officer, said: “It is well publicised that during the winter months there is increased demand for our services. However, that demand does not lessen when the weather gets warmer.

“July presents a different set of challenges. It's holiday season and more people are out enjoying the sun so we saw more accidents associated with people being out in the hot weather.”

Despite the added pressure, Mr Kee said staff are rising to the challenge.

He added: “A&E is the front door of the hospital, but is down to the hard work and more importantly, teamwork of everyone across the whole trust, from wards, to pathology, to pharmacy, to porters, that we have performed so well. I want to thank every member of staff for their contribution.”

Jo Cripps, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, NHS Basildon and Brentwood CCG said: “It’s a credit to all the staff at Basildon Hospital that, in spite of the pressure of increasing numbers of people coming through the hospital doors, they managed to be the best performing hospital in the region."

A year ago Basildon Hospital became the first trust in the country to be taken out of special measures, after the Care Quality Commission awarded it a 'good' rating.

It came just 11 months after the hospital had a string of sanctions put on it by health regulator Monitor due to concerns about high death rates and poor care.