More than 40% of patients at Suffolk and north Essex hospitals had to endure waits of 30 minutes or more before being handed over, while more than 20% waited 60 minutes or longer, according to latest figures.

The NHS England data has revealed that last week 1,140 patients were handed over by ambulance staff to A&E teams at Ipswich and Colchester hospitals, which are run by East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT).

Of these 1,140, 502 patients - 44% - waited 30 minutes or longer, while 244 endured delays of 60 minutes or more, equivalent to 21%.

READ MORE: Ambulance wait 'contributed to Suffolk man's death'- coroner

There has been a slight increase in 60-minute waits from figures in December, when 18% waited for this amount of time at ESNEFT hospitals, although there has been a fall in 30 minute waits- from 46% to 44%.

Meanwhile, at West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds, there were 417 handovers last week, of which 188 - 45% - were after 30 minutes or longer, while 121 - 29% - took 60 minutes or longer.

The statistics put the hospitals about midway among similar institutions around the country, with the Royal Cornwall Hospital being the worst performer – with 82% waiting 30 minutes or more and 67% waiting longer than 60 minutes.

READ MORE: Suffolk woman Gina Bywater died after 10-hour ambulance wait

East Anglian Daily Times: More than 20% of patients waited 60 minutes or longer to be handed over at West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St EdmundsMore than 20% of patients waited 60 minutes or longer to be handed over at West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds (Image: Archant)Dr Angela Tillett, chief medical officer at ESNEFT, said: “Getting emergency ambulances back on the road as soon as possible remains a high priority for our teams.

“The number of very unwell patients coming into hospital with complex health needs continues to rise and this can mean that at times of peak ambulance activity it can take longer for crews to fully handover care to hospital staff.

East Anglian Daily Times: Angela Tillett, chief medical officer at ESNEFTAngela Tillett, chief medical officer at ESNEFT (Image: ESNEFT)

“Patient safety is as always our priority and people waiting with ambulance crews are regularly assessed by our teams. This is so we can make sure they receive timely care and treatment.

“Working in partnership with our East of England Ambulance Service Trust colleagues is a strong focus of our work too.

"We are committed to providing safe and high-quality care at all times.”