The unit was set up in 2000

An inspection, which took place before Christmas, found that the unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital fell short of health and safety standards.

The Oxfordshire Community Health Council described the situation as "wholly unacceptable" with too many beds crammed into the building, leaving no privacy for patients and no storage space.

The Medical Assessment Unit was set up two and a half years ago to take some of the workload from the accident and emergency department.

It takes patients sent to hospital by their GPs allowing them to by-pass accident and emergency.

Before it was opened GP referrals were initially treated in the same area as casualty patients.

The Oxfordshire Community Health Council is an independent body which represents the interests of the public in the NHS.