Up to ten ambulances had to wait outside an accident and emergency department for more than two hours because there were no trolleys free inside, it has been claimed.

Crews had to stay with their patients on ambulance trolleys in the corridor at the emergency department at Colchester General Hospital yesterday until beds could be found.

Only then could crew members return to their vehicles with the vacated trolleys.

But a suggestion that the hold-up meant North Essex was without ambulance cover for some of that time was refuted by Essex Ambulance Service.

A spokesperson for Essex Rivers Healthcare Trust said the hospital was currently on red alert mode, with an extremely high level of demand from people who were extremely ill.

He said: "It is not a question of having any inappropriate people. Yesterday, all the trolleys in accident and emergency were in use with very sick people."

He added: "We are doing our best and working with the ambulance service to ensure patients are getting the right treatment. The siutation eased at about tea-time but we continued to be extremely busy with emergency admissions."

A spokesperson for Essex Ambulance Service said: "We have experienced significant delays today. Every effort is being made to resolve the situation and we are working closely with the hospital.

"We move cover around the county to ensure there is an ambulance available. In addition to ambulances, we maintain the rapid response vehicles bikes and cars that can respond to calls.

"We maintain a constant dialogue with the hospital in an effort to resolve problems of this nature."

Published Tuesday, April 9, 2002