Airedale General Hospital says it continues to face challenges in ensuring accident and emergency patients do not have to wait more than four hours for treatment.

While the hospital met its target of treating enough A&E patients within four hours in March, foundation trust chief executive Bridget Fletcher acknowledged more needs to be done.

In her written report to Airedale’s board of directors, she said: “While the trust did hit the target for the year overall, I’m very aware that sadly a number of patients did have to wait more than four hours for their treatment.

“This is not the position I want this hospital to be in, with patients not having optimum experience every time and staff stretched to the limit.

“Work continues with our partners as we try to transform urgent care to better meet the needs of our growing, ageing population.”