SUNDAY saw more people visit Worcestershire Royal Hospital’s accident and emergency department than on any other day in its 12-year history.

The day after England played its opening game in the World Cup against Italy, 241 patients arrived at the department, compared with a usual figure of about 210.

But doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers at the hospital were up to the challenge, with only six patients waiting more than four hours to be treated.

The hospital has not given a reason for the surge in numbers.

A&E manager Lisa Spencer described the day as “extremely busy” but praised her colleagues for their hard work managing the flow of patients through the hospital.

“We were able treat our patients as they came into A&E and then refer them to a speciality and transfer them to the appropriate ward for further care,” she said. “This reduced the ‘bottleneck’ that we sometimes see in A&E, which results in patients being seen in the corridor.

“The type of patients we saw ranged from the acute medically unwell, chest pains, strokes, and accidents to minor injuries. A vast majority of our patients came to see us with minor injuries.

“Our Emergency Nurse Practitioners were able to concentrate on treating these patients with great expertise, leaving doctors to concentrate on patients in the resuscitation room and majors.”

Out of the 241 patients, 81 were suffering from serious injuries or illnesses while the remaining 160 were classed as ‘minor’.

Sixty-six patients were admitted to hospital while the others were either sent home or transferred to another facility.

A&E sister Jenny Harris said she had not realised so many patients had attended A&E until she saw the figures.

“Everyone worked hard and we had beds available,” she said.

“It didn’t feel too overwhelming as it has done previously with fewer patients, but no beds to transfer patients to.

“The team performed brilliantly and it just proves with the right amount of staff, dedication and flow into the hospital, the department can perform efficiently and safely.”

Elsewhere in the county, 168 people visited A&E at Redditch’s Alexandra Hospital while 68 attended the 24-hour minor injuries unit at Kidderminster Hospital on the same day, all of whom were treated within four hours.

On a typical week, Sunday and Monday are the busiest days at the hospital’s A&E department.

For advice on whether or not or not to go to A&E call NHS 111.