10 MINUTE A&E RUSH.

THE number of A&E patients admitted to hospital soars in the last 10 minutes of a Government-imposed four-hour deadline period, figures show.

Almost two-thirds of patients seen in the final 10 minutes are admitted to a ward compared to 21 per cent overall.

The four-hour target period was introduced to end long waits in A&E. A report from the The NHS Information Centre said that almost all A&E patients are seen within the four-hour period and almost three-quarters are dealt with within three hours.

Health minister Mike O'Brien, said: "This shows continued dedication and hard work on part of NHS staff across the country."