Analysis also shows that local hospitals are suffering from dangerously high bed occupancy rates. Weston Area Health NHS Trust has been 100% full for 10 of 42 days so far this winter, and at least 95% full for 36 of 42 days.

This is way above the recommended maximum level of 85% bed occupancy that experts say must be maintained to protect patient safety.

The figures cover the period from 20th November to 31st December 2017 according to NHS England’s Winter Daily Situation Reports.

The Liberal Democrats are calling for a penny on income tax for the NHS and care, which would raise £6bn a year, around £16m of which would go to North Somerset NHS Clinical Commissioning Group based on current allocations.

Councillor Mike Bell, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on North Somerset Council and a member of the council’s Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel, said:

“These figures show the NHS crisis in Weston is worsening. Almost a hundred patients have been left stuck in ambulances outside our part-time A&E while the hospital is full to the rafters.

“Those patients who are sent to Taunton or Bristol see a similar story of ambulance delays and crowded hospitals.

“Every ambulance stuck outside A&E could well be needed by another patient waiting desperately at home for help. Each day seems to bring yet more bad news about the state of the health service. The blame for this lies firmly at the government’s door.

“Ministers refused to provide the funding that top NHS officials said was necessary and now patients are paying the price. The Liberal Democrats want to give the NHS and care services the extra cash they desperately need by putting a penny on income tax, which would raise £16m extra a year for health services in North Somerset alone.”