SIX patients have been waiting for more than four years for treatment at south and mid Essex hospitals, underlining the crisis in the NHS with soaring waiting lists.

A Freedom of Information request has exposed the deep impact of the Covid pandemic on the NHS as staff struggle to cope with demand.

At the Mid and South Essex NHS Trust, responsible for Southend, Basildon and Broomfield hospitals, the figures show:

- The number of patients waiting for more than four years (208 weeks) at the trust: six

- The number of patients waiting for more than three years (156 weeks) at the trust: 14

Campaigners from the Save Southend NHS campaign group acknowledged that the pandemic had exacerbated issues, but insisted that waiting lists were growing rapidly before the pandemic.

The trust failed to respond to the Echo when quizzed on waiting lists despite repeated requests.

Freddie Dawkins, from Save Southend NHS, said: “It’s a complex issue and exacerbated by the pandemic but waiting lists were getting longer even before Covid due to underfunding by the Government over many years and staff losses.On the A&E side - demand is growing every day, as more GP practices close or are amalgamated.”

He added: “Inside the hospital, there were patients left on trolleys in the main corridor, due to lack of beds. Yet several wards are still closed, due to lack of staff.”

Southend West MP Anna Firth said: “I am horrified by the waiting times that so many people are experiencing at our local hospitals. We have an ageing population in Southend West, and it is unacceptable that they should have to wait so long for medical care.

“People who have worked hard all their lives need the best possible treatment promptly, and it is essential that these waiting times are addressed as an absolute priority.”

The situation in south Essex is reflected across the country.