A hospital has been told to shake up its accident and emergency department after patients waited more than 30 hours for a bed.

St Richard's Hospital in Chichester is working at full capacity and coping with accommodating patients while a programme of improvements is carried out.

A report published today by the Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) said improvements were already being put in place but more needed to be done.

Hospital bosses are working with health partners in the area to try and ease its ongoing bed-blocking problems.

Patients on the medical assessment unit should be moved to a ward or discharged within 24 hours but, because of the lack of bed space across the hospital, some patients stay on the ward for a few days.

CHI found 11 examples of notable practice at St Richard's such as the development of an asthma centre which allows patients direct access to the hospital without the need for a GP referral.

It also said staff were kind and fully committed to their patients.

The Patient Involvement Group has produced a video showing patients the step-by-step journey they will take when they come in for day surgery.

Hospital chief executive, Robert Lapraik said: "Our inspection took place during the busiest time of the year.

"The assessors saw the whole hospital working at full stretch in early January and saw the impact this has on our patients and staff.

"I'm very proud that the professionalism and commitment of St Richard's staff was echoed in the many comments received by CHI.

"Over the past few months the hospital has been running at more than 99 per cent occupancy. For staff, this means constant pressure and for patients waiting in A&E for a bed in a ward, it's an unsatisfactory experience.

"We are implementing a number of improvements, both internally and with the primary care trust but the need for more capacity is clear.

"People are living longer and needing more hospital treatment."