Ambulances were diverted away from Whipps Cross Hospital last week as the number of admissions reached a post-Christmas peak.

In the first few days of 2015 high numbers of elderly people sought emergency medical care at the Leytonstone hospital on Monday and Tuesday.

Extra doctors and nurses were called in to help with the surge in patients.

The situation reflected a London-wide problem.

NHS England figures show thousands of patients waited on trolleys for more than four hours to be admitted to London hospitals.

Over 700 people have been forced to wait in ambulances outside hospitals in the capital so far this year.

The Evening Standard reported 36 patients were in Whipps Cross’ casualty department on Tuesday morning – with the bed capacity already full.

However, Barts Health Trust says the situation was under control by Wednesday and all staff worked relentlessly to give patients the care they needed.

A spokesman said: “Barts Health has been under pressure with demand for emergency care during the last few days, in keeping with the rest of London.

“There has also been significant pressure on beds. The age profile of patients requiring admission to hospital has been unusually high with a particular increase in admissions in patients in their 90s.

“Although waits for beds have sometimes been longer than usual, all patients have had the care they need.

“The pressure on surrounding hospitals has meant we have been reluctant to request ambulance diverts, but when our resuscitation facilities are close to full, we have been able to do this when needed for a short period of time.

“Our staff have worked extremely hard over the Christmas and New Year period and continue to do so, and have kept our hospitals safe and effective as a result of their professionalism and commitment.”

A major incident was not declared.