Great Western Hospital has seen record levels of patients attend its Urgent Treatment Centre and Emergency Department over the last year.

Patient numbers at the UTC and ED hit more than 10,800 in June while August saw 9,600 visits. 

Chief operating officer Felicity Taylor-Drewe said the GWH Trust is focusing on improving the flow of patients going through the hospital and community services.

She said: “There is no area of the hospital not affected by emergency care.

“While all parts of health and social care are under stress, this is more evident at the front door.

“The level of demand has contributed to delays being transferred from an ambulance to the Emergency Department.

“We’re working with the ambulance service to support the handover of patients to free up crews to respond to 999 calls.”

Waiting times have increased because the levels of demand are "unsustainable", according to the trust.