THE number of patients who spend four hours, or fewer, at Basildon Hospital has almost hit the national target but Southend Hospital continues to struggle, latest statistics have revealed.

The monthly A&E attendances and emergency admissions collection have now been released by NHS England.

At Basildon, a total of 11,284 patients attended the A&E department during November.

A total of 93 per cent were dealt with, discharged, admitted or transferred within the recommended time - a 4.5 per cent improvement on October’s figures.

Meanwhile, Southend Hospital saw a slight improvement on its waiting times in November.

A total of 8,083 people visited the A&E department - 77 per cent of those patients were seen within the recommended time - a 0.3 per cent improvement on the previous month.

The national target is for 95 per cent of patients to spend four hours or less from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge in A&E.

Meanwhile, the Mid Essex Hospital Services Trust, saw 7,393 patients in November attend its Broomfield Hospital A&E in Chelmsford - with 83,7 per cent being discharged, admitted or transferred within four hours - an improvement on October (80.7 per cent).

Tom Abell, interim managing director at Basildon Hospital, praised staff for coping in tough times.

He said: “Despite the pressures on our services, our staff work incredibly hard and last November managed to see and treat 93 per cent of A&E patients within four hours.

“Unprecedented demand on our emergency service continues, with high numbers of acutely-ill patients needing admission to hospital.

“We are working closely with our partner organisations to ensure patients continue to receive safe care.”

Yvonne Blücher, the managing director at Southend Hospital, added: “The figures are reflective of the incredibly busy period leading up to Christmas and New Year, during which time we saw an exceptionally high number of acutely ill patients attending.

“This continues to be the case at Southend and across south east Essex as a whole.

“Our staff are working extremely hard to cope with these on-going pressures while maintaining a safe environment and high standards of care for our patients.”

Both south Essex hospitals also vowed to work closer with each other and Broomfield in order to better manage the continuing pressures on the service.

The Echo revealed earlier this month how Clare Panniker become chief executive of all three Essex NHS trusts following her success at Basildon.