The trust that runs Watford General Hospital failed to reach one of its NHS targets last month.

Of the 15,736 people who attended West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust's emergency departments in March, 68% of arrivals were seen within four hours, against an NHS target of 95%.

However, more patients visited A&E last month, with demand rising above the levels seen over the same period last year.

NHS England figures show there was a rise of 15% on the 13,701 visits recorded during February, and 1% more than the 15,533 patients seen in March 2022.

The figures show attendances were above the levels seen two years ago – in March 2021, there were 11,430 visits to A&E departments run by the trust.

The majority of attendances last month were via major A&E departments – those with full resuscitation equipment and 24-hour consultant-led care – while 48% were via minor injury units.

St Albans City Hospital and Hemel Hempstead Hospital are also ran by the trust. 

A trust spokesperson said: “We’re sorry when any patient experiences delay to their treatment.

“Discharge delays for patients who might be waiting for packages of care in the community and the need to minimise infectious diseases such as flu and Covid can lead to longer than expected delays in our emergency department.”

The trust urged people to help by continuing to access its services appropriately, attend appointments and contact NHS 111 first for urgent care so that they can be directed to the best local service for them.

They added: “Our redevelopment plans include an emergency department that is nearly twice the size with much bigger assessment areas and faster access to diagnostic equipment and this will be a great help in reducing waiting times.”

Across England, A&E departments received 2.2 million visits last month.

That was an increase of 13% compared to February, but a similar number as seen during March 2022.

Professor Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director for England, said: “The last few months have been demanding for the NHS as record numbers of patients have come forward for care on top of hugely disruptive strike action.”

Mr Powis said the data shows demand on services is not relenting with A&E attendances and ambulance call-outs at the highest level so far this year.