CONCERNS have been raised about the numbers of staff in Accident and Emergency at Southend Hospital, particularly with the extra demand that winter brings.

The staffing situation in the busy casualty department was discussed at last week’s Clinical Commissioning Group meeting.

The hospital is on track to meet the A&E standard of 95 per cent of patients seen within four hours this month, but Melanie Craig, chief operating officer for the group, said although performance was now good, winter could provide a challenge because of staffing levels.

She said: “There is an element of concern regarding the clinical cover in A&E. We are looking at the urgent care recovery and improvement plan, contingency plans and the skills of staff.”

The hospital has recently recruited more doctors for A&E.

Jacqueline Totterdell, chief executive, said: “We are pleased with the recent progress we have made in recruiting to our emergency department. We now have six consultants and the department is benefiting from new ways of working using highlyskilled and experienced emergency nurse practitioners.

“This is reflected in our improved performance against the four-hour wait for the quarter July to September.

“We are continuing to recruit into remaining nursing vacancies.”