There is no simple and easy solution to the problem of long waits in hospital accident and emergency departments.

Figures revealed by The Argus today show ambulance crews waited more than half an hour to pass patients to staff at hospitals across Sussex thousands of times over a six-month period.

Unless the underlying problem is addressed by all the organisations and authorities involved, the situation is never going to improve.

The delays are not the fault of one trust or service over another.

They are the result of an urgent need for every group to admit their responsibility, come together and find a solution.

Patients can do their bit as well by not going to A&E for minor problems and using GPs, walk-in centres and pharmacies.

But they can only do this if these extra services are available when they need them.

All too often we hear of patients deciding to go to A&E because they can’t get a doctor’s appointment.

Social services and local authorities also have a role to play in ensuring the elderly and vulnerable, who are the ones more likely to need a hospital stay, get the support and help they need to avoid them having to be admitted in the first place.

Being able to quickly make arrangements for support in the home when patients are ready to be discharged is also a vital way of cutting down on bed-blocking.

This is one of the main causes of A&E delays.

This is not the time to be pointing the finger of blame at any one particular organisation.

It is a time for everyone to come up with a system that works.