More than 100 patients at west Hertfordshire's hospitals have been waiting for treatments for a year or more as waiting lists grow longer.

However, fewer people had to wait more than four hours to be seen in Watford General’s accident and emergency department in May.

The figures were reported to a meeting of the West Hertfordshire Hospitals Trust’s board meeting on Thursday (July 2).

And at the meeting it was acknowledged that the Covid-19 pandemic was continuing to have a significant impact on elective waiting times and performance.

According to national targets, at least 95 per cent of patients should be treated in accident and emergency departments within four hours.

But in May at Watford General that figure was just 83.9 per cent.

That’s five per cent higher than in April, but it’s still 11 per cent below the national target.

Meanwhile the figures also show there are now 135 patients who have been waiting for treatment at the trust – which runs Watford General, St Albans City and Hemel Hempstead hospitals – for 52 weeks or longer.

That’s “dramatically” increased from the 53 that were recorded the previous month, says the report to the board.

And, says the report, some of these patients may ultimately be treated elsewhere.

It states: “While some long wait patients could be outsourced in due course, this is not an option for those waiting for treatment with services where there is a higher risk from a COVID-19 perspective.”

In the previous 12 months, a maximum of four patients had been waiting for 52-weeks or longer for treatment. And between October and February there had been none.

At the meeting it was acknowledged that the Covid-19 pandemic was continuing to have a significant impact on elective waiting times for and performance.

And it was reported that the rapid rise in long waits has increased the likelihood of patient harm.