AMBULANCES were left waiting for hours to offload sick patients at Southend Hospital as it faced “exceptionally high demand” over Christmas.

Multiple crews were tied up waiting to be able to offload patients at the hospital’s A&E department which was described as at “bursting point”.

An exasperated paramedic, who asked to remain anonymous, sent a statement to campaign group Save Southend NHS during a demanding shift on Boxing Day.

The statement said: “Is four hours in a queue to offload a sick patient in A&E the acceptable level of the NHS under the current government? There are currently ten ambulances waiting at Southend to hand over patients to a hospital that is full and at bursting point.

“The hospital is already too small for the local population, yet still they build more houses without expanding.

“There are currently crews from Witham, Maldon and Basildon covering local jobs we can’t attend - this is leaving their own areas uncovered.”

Southend Hospital warned the community about the demand on their services over the busy festive period which has had a knock-on effect for ambulances.

Denise Townsend, director of nursing, said: “We have seen an incredibly busy period leading up to Christmas and New Year, during which time we saw an exceptionally high number of acutely ill patients attending our emergency department who required admission.

“This also causes delays for some ambulances transferring patients to our care. 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.”

Campaigners have said the paramedic’s description is indicative of a system near breaking point.

Save Southend NHS secretary Mike Fieldhouse said: “How anyone could believe that this state of affairs as described by a paramedic on the frontline at Southend Hospital is acceptable in a country as wealthy as ours, is beyond me.

“The government has to provide emergency funding now, followed by proper long-term financing and realistic planning and provision for the future.”