A TRUST says it is working hard to improve its service after it was revealed it failed to hit three key Government-set targets.

Health trusts are tasked with dealing with 95 per cent of patients who come into A&E within four hours.

Some 85 per cent of cancer patients' treatment should begin with 62 days while 92 per cent of planned operations should take place within 18 weeks.

New figures show at the Mid Essex Hospital Trust 90.5 per cent of A&E attendees are being treated, discharged or admitted within four hours, 81 per cent of patients are starting cancer treatment within 62 days and 80 per cent having planned operations within 18 weeks.

All fall below the Government targets.

The trust is responsible for Braintree Community Hospital, Maldon’s St Peter’s hospital and Broomfield Hospital.

A trust spokesman said: “The NHS is finding itself under unprecedented pressures across all service areas, and Mid Essex Hospitals is no exception.

“Despite the continuing high number of patients coming through our front door on a daily basis, our A&E performance figures have continued to improve recently, and this is testament to the hard work and dedication shown by our front line clinical staff.

“We do try to minimise any cancelled operations, but sometimes due to urgent emergency cases and bed shortages, some planned operations do have to be cancelled at short notice, causing disruption for patients, and we do apologise for this. However, patient safety and care has to be our number one priority at all times.

“The Trust continues to work closely with our local health and social care colleagues in ensuring our levels of service continue to improve, and that our patients continue to receive the best treatment within a safe and caring environment.'”