A BRADFORD MP has hit out at the government over A&E waiting times in Bradford.

Speaking in a House of Commons debate today, Bradford East MP Imran Hussain, said: "Between winter 2018 and winter 2019, we saw the proportion of A&E attendances in Bradford seen within four hour target fall by seven percentage points, putting patients at risk and overstretching already pressured staff.

"In October last year, I warned the Minister of these very real dangers at health questions. 

"The Minister refused to meet with me to even discuss this and can he now answer the question why further funding was not made available to stop staff and patients at Bradford Royal Infirmary being put at risk."

In response, health minister Edward Argar said: "I'd remind the honourable gentleman that Bradford treated more people in A&E this winter than any previous one and while he may have omitted to do so, I want to pay tribute and thanks to the staff at Bradford for their work in doing this.

"We are the party that is investing in our NHS, in our A&Es and in our staff. He should welcome that."

Speaking after, Mr Hussain said: “Patients in Bradford deserve better than being left to suffer in A&E departments and in the back of ambulances for hours on end, and the Government now need to put a stop to their near-decade long running down of our NHS that has seen the biggest funding squeeze in its history.”