On Monday 19th December, the Emergency Department recorded the highest number ever of patients.
The CEO of Milton Keynes Hospital has reported that the Emergency Department in Milton Keynes saw nearly 400 patients on Monday 19th December.
Professor Joe Harrison says this is the highest number ever.
"We saw just under 400 patients in MK Hospital ED yesterday (19 Dec). The highest number ever. We’ve seen an unprecedented number of patients seeking emergency care every day over the last eight days. The ED team and teams across the whole hospital are working incredibly hard," the Hospital CEO tweeted.
"I know patients have been waiting longer, and some much longer than usual in ED. I am really sorry for those longer waiting times. I know you might be scared or anxious We will see you as quickly as we can - please don’t shout at or abuse our staff, they are doing their best."
The record number of patients comes as the hospital announced it is reintroducing mask wearing in clinical areas following an increase in infectious diseases.
Residents have been told that they can raise concerns or complaints via the CEO's direct email at Joe.harrison@mkuh.nhs.uk.
"A sincere thank you to everyone at Milton Keynes Hospital," he wrote. "What you do matters, makes a difference and is appreciated and valued beyond words."
READ MORE: NHS wait times: Milton Keynes hospital seeing 'record-breaking' number of patients
Currently, issues are being raised across the country in regards to hospital waiting times with NHS England saying that nationally the figures were the worst since records began 17 years ago.
NHS targets suggest that 95% of patients should be seen within four hours, these targets were last reached in July 2015.
MKFM spoke to Milton Keynes Hospital CEO, Professor Joe Harrison, who said: "It is unfortunately a record breaking time for us. We are seeing record breaking numbers of patients turning up at the Emergency Department and the staff are doing the best possible job they can to cope with the pressures."
He continued: "There is a sense that at some point we would have treated everybody in Milton Keynes, everyday."
Despite strikes taking place across the country, Milton Keynes is not expected to be affected.
Why are nurses in Milton Keynes not striking?
Professor Joe Harrison has told MKFM that there is a requirement for 50% of those nurses eligible to vote, to vote for strikes. In Milton Keynes only 43% decided to vote which means legally they are not allowed to take strike action.
At the moment, Milton Keynes University Hospital is not expected to be affected by the strike action across the rest of the country.
"We do know that our physiotherapists have voted to strike," Joe Harrison said. "So our expectation is that there will be strike days for those members of staff.
"We will see what the New Year brings, as always, we respect the right of any individual to take part in industrial action."
He said: " We keep our fingers crossed that we can continue to deliver safe services to our patients."
Residents are being urged to continue to use the emergency services as normal.
"We want to make sure that people hear the message loud and clear, the NHS is open, is available to look after the sick patients like we do everyday."
You can read more here: Milton Keynes Hospital not expected to be affected by nurse and ambulance strikes this week, CEO tells MKFM
