A senior doctor at Whipps Cross Hospital's accident and emergency has refused to say whether his department is adequately funded during a time of "extreme pressure".

There was a crisis in A&Es across the country over the Christmas period as staff struggled to deal with higher than expected levels of admissions.

Dr Alistair Chesser, director of emergency care at Barts NHS, which runs Whipps Cross, said the Leytonstone hospital, along with others in the area, had received emergency funds to tackle demand.

But he refused to say whether the level of investment was enough to ensure standards of care maintained.

Extra beds have been made available and agency nurses drafted in to deal with demand, with staff working overtime.

Dr Chesser said the Christmas and New Year period was particularly difficult for frontline staff in A&E as it experienced a sudden surge of elderly patients.    

Ambulances were diverted to other hospitals run by the trust and there were delays in treatment, as well as a shortage of beds. 

He said: "Like all A&E departments, we have experienced a busy winter which was particularly difficult in the New Year.

"We saw a larger than expected number of elderly patients being admitted and staying for a longer period of time.

“This backs up through the system and has a knock-on effect with all departments.

"It is always the case where we have complex discharges and this takes time and resources out of the hospital. 

"But we have had really good co-operation with social services at Waltham Forest who helped set up care plans and found accommodation for the elderly patients with less support."

However, when asked if the current level of government funding is adequate, Dr Chesser said: "no Comment". 

The increase in demand has meant the hospital has missed its target of 95 per cent of patients waiting no less than four hours for treatment.

But Dr Chesser said steps had been taken to ensure patients were not put at risk.

He said: "We have consultants and senior doctors manning the entrance.

“This is to try and avoid admitting more people to hospital and to keep the system flowing. 

"Whipps has not had to declare any major incidents internally or externally and this is testament to the skills and experience of our staff. 

"It has been an extremely stressful and busy time for the staff but it is our job to cope and to remain calm and compassionate towards all of our patients.

"Whipps Cross A&E is not in crisis."

In a new series on the NHS, the Guardian will feature experiences of patients, their families and staff of treatment provided across east London and west Essex. As A&Es continue to struggle with demand and politicians argue over the future of healthcare, we will publish first-hand accounts, features and news stories on the latest developments. We want to hear from you if you have something to say about your local hospital, GP surgery, or clinic. Click here for contact details of reporters covering your area. Alternatively, you can submit a story here.