Patients at Whiston Hospital's A&E department have been forced to endure lengthy waiting times as hospital resources become stretched to the limit.

One 93-year-old woman had to wait nine hours before a bed could be found for her.

On Monday of this week the waiting area of the A&E Ward became heavily congested and with no seats available in waiting rooms cramped patients were forced to wait in corridors and on trolleys.

The hospital has admitted that there is a shortage of beds for emergency admissions.

The Star learned that a 93-year-old woman suffering from a leg injury had to wait up to nine hours for a bed. She had spent six hours receiving treatment in the A&E Ward, but was then left waiting three hours until a bed became free. In an attempt to alleviate the pressure, a minibus service was used on Monday to transfer patients with minor complaints to St Helens Hospital's Minor Injuries Unit.

A statement from Whiston Hospital explained the situation: "The Hospital is extremely busy in terms of emergency admissions with all beds completely full. The situation is made worse due to the fact that a growing number of elderly patients are presently waiting for nursing home placements or an alternative care setting.

"When hospital beds are full, patients within A&E unfortunately have to wait for longer periods of time until a bed can be secured."

The statement added that as a knock-on effect of the bed shortage A&E becomes congested and occasionally ambulance crews have to stay with patients they have brought into the department until hospital staff are available to look after the patient appropriately.

It continued: "It is normal practice to transfer selected patients from A&E to St Helens Minor injury Unit at times of increasing pressures. This ensures we continue to provide the best service for those patients presenting with minor injuries. Transport is provided for all patients who require it either by taxi or minibus."