New figures published today show 92.6 per cent of patients were seen within four hours at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Trust (BHRUT), up from 84.4pc the previous month.

February’s figure still falls short of the 95pc national target but exceeds the trust’s 89.4pc trajectory agreed with the NHS Trust Development Authority following a highly critical CQC inspection in 2013.

To date, 92.5pc of patients have been seen, treated, admitted or discharged from A&E in March.

The trust runs two A&E departments, one at Queen’s Hospital in Romford and another at King George Hospital in Goodmayes which is due to close.

Chief Executive Matthew Hopkins said: “This is a fantastic achievement and is testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff and partners.

“Our absolute aspiration, working with partners, is to exceed and sustain performance above 95pc as it is proven to positively impact on patient care.”

He said a focus on caring and treating elderly patients at home had helped avoid unnecessary emergency admissions.

The trust has also issued the following advice to patients:

• A&E is for serious, life-threatening injuries or illness only

• GPs are offering urgent appointments late in the evenings and at weekends

• Don’t forget your local pharmacist – they can treat lots of medical problems

• Make sure you are well stocked up with self-care medicines at home