it s 5 o clock. our main story is that record numbers of patients spent more than four hours in accident and emergency units in england in january, according to figures leaked to the bbc. during a difficult winter for the nhs, january seems to be the worst performing month in the past 13 years. the figures also suggest record numbers of people waited longer than 12 hours for a hospital bed, once they d been seen in a&e. the bma said the prime minister could no longer bury her head in the sand over increasing pressure in the nhs. and it accused the government of failing to grasp the seriousness of the situation. our health correspondent dominic hughes reports. for months now, accident and emergency departments across england have been struggling. last week, the bbc was given exclusive access to the royal blackburn hospital, where the pressure on a&e was plain to see. we need beds and staff. it s just like banging your head you need a bed. definitely. it s distressing. it s r
named in the side. good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. record numbers of patients waited for more than four hours in accident and emergency departments in england in december that s according to officialfigures. only 86% met the nhs target of being seen in four hours or less. and figures leaked to the bbc suggest it was even worse in january, just 82%, the worst performing month for a&e departments in the past 13 years. the bma says the prime minister can no longer bury her head in the sand about the increasing pressure on the nhs. the government says the vast majority of patients are seen and treated quickly. this report from our health editor hugh pym. scenes like this on bbc news this week have highlighted the immense strains being felt right across the nhs. here at royal blackburn hospital, rated as good by inspectors, some patients waited up to 13 hours in a&e. some had to sit on the floor. the latest official figures confirmed it was the worst for waits s