A Department of Health spokesperson said:

People should not be stuck in A&E for hours on end and these hospitals will need to explain what has happened in these cases. We know that 95% of patients are being seen within 4 hours despite an increase in patients year on year. Relieving pressure on A&E is a long term issue which we’re determined to tackle by improving not only the care provided, but also access to care in GP surgeries and elsewhere so people don’t have to go to A&E in the first place.