The Royal College of Nurses has raised concerns that pressure on NHS staff is harming patient safety and dignity.

The stark warning comes shortly after it was revealed the number of people waiting more than four hours for treatment at Airedale Hospital’s A&E department leapt by 265 per cent compared to last year.

It led to an apology from the Steeton hospital’s management team.

Glenn Turp, regional director for the Yorkshire Region, said: “RCN members from across the region are telling us that A&E departments are experiencing tremendous pressures.

“Nurses are extremely concerned that patient safety and dignity is being compromised with patients being nursed on trolleys, in corridors or in other inappropriate areas, with no room for them in A&E.”