Hillingdon Hospital struggled with bed spaces over the winter period with a total of 30 days where every single bed was occupied in December and January, getwestlondon can reveal.
Every hospital in west London had bed occupancy at high-risk levels during this two month period, but Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust had the worst levels in the area.
Figures released by the NHS showed that all of the hospital trusts in west London went over the recommended 85% bed occupancy level set by the British Medical Journal.
The internationally recognised level is set in order to avoid risks of potentially deadly infections and to maintain the capacity to deal with emergencies.
A spokesman for Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “Hillingdon Hospitals A&E department is currently experiencing the highest demand for services in its history, and this has a knock-on effect on bed occupancy.
“Higher levels of A&E attendance almost inevitably lead to higher levels of admissions.
“New, dedicated teams are working hard to ensure an early safe discharge of patients, in order to free as many beds as possible at the earliest possible opportunity.
“Meanwhile, the Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has appealed to everyone to think twice before coming to our A&E department, only attend if they really have to, and to consider other sources of treatment, including their GP, local pharmacy and NHS 111.”
At Hillingdon Hospital, 100% of beds were occupied for a total of 30 days between December and January.
The rate remained above the 85% level for the whole of this period, apart from January 5 when it was just 9.8%.
Hillingdon Hospital is also the worst performing west London trust when it comes to the four-hour wait target for A&E,getwestlondon revealed in January.
London North West Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs Ealing Hospital and Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow , was below the British Medical Journal level for three days during this period.
The chief operating officer at London North West, Lee Martin, said: “Our hospitals are extremely busy and we continue to work closely with local health partners to ensure patients are being treated and cared for in the most appropriate facility, be that in hospital or in the community.
“The public can help by visiting our emergency departments for serious and life-threatening injuries and conditions only.
“Please consider alternatives such as visiting your local walk-in centre, pharmacy or calling 111 for minor injuries or advice.
“This will help relieve the pressure on our services.”
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust was below the 85% level for just one day in December and January.
Over the last two months, bed occupancy at England's 153 acute hospital trusts has remained above the international standard for the whole period.
With Christmas Eve and Christmas Day being the only exceptions, with rates of 80.5% and 83.6% respectively.
The average occupancy level for the UK in December and January is 94.4%, with the worse dates being January 9 and 10, with an average of 95.6% of beds in use.
Getwestlondon has approached Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust for comment.
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