A continuing bed crisis at Broomfield Hospital's has led to 17 patients staying overnight in the accident and emergency department, union members have claimed.

Health union UNISON also claims that nurses are being put in an impossible and dangerous situation because of staffing levels.

On Tuesday a new 12-bed medical assessment unit stayed open overnight, instead of closing at 10 pm, to help cope with the increasing demands on accident and emergency services.

Mid Essex Hospitals Trust has apologised for the situation, but disputes the figure of 17 patients put forward by the public service union, UNISON, saying the total number waiting overnight in accident and emergency on Tuesday was seven.

Meanwhile, it has been announced that a team of trouble-shooters will be carrying out a complete review of operational and management arrangements at the trust, looking at issues including pressures on clinical services, the large financial deficit and long waiting lists for some specialities.

UNISON claimed this week that a beds crisis at Broomfield Hospital had deepened.

Regional organiser Harry Lister said: "There have been unbelievably long waits to get beds and on Tuesday there were 17 patients in A&E overnight. The new assessment unit which was supposed to improve things has not made a jot of difference.

"Nursing staff are being put in an impossible and dangerous position with staffing levels potentially affecting patient care and safety."

UNISON has called for the patient watchdog group Mid Essex Community Health Council to implement an appeal to the Secretary of State for Health so that ward B10 at Broomfield Hospital can be re-opened.

A spokeswoman for Mid Essex Hospitals Trust said that the new assessment unit had been used as an extension to the accident and emergency department on Tuesday night as a temporary measure and seven patients had been in A&E overnight.

She denied that staffing levels are unsafe.

"We are in fact running at high staffing levels, having planned to cover for contingencies," she said.

The Trust also denied reports that Broomfield had considered sending patients to France for treatment because of a shortage of beds due to the 'flu outbreak. An off-the-cuff joking remark by a consultant had been misinterpreted.

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