A unique team of part-time consultants has been brought in to provide emergency cover at Leicester Royal Infirmary.

The University Hospitals of Leicester NHS trust has taken the step following the departure of all three Accident and Emergency consultants within the last six months.

The problem was compounded by the fact the infirmary had been looking to recruit three extra consultants to cope with patient demand.

The Trust says it has experienced difficulties in recruiting suitable staff but expected the situation to improve.

I think new consultants were put off during this difficult period Alan Cole, Medical Director at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

In a reassessment of the demands on the service it has been deemed a further three consultants are also needed so six vacancies are currently open.

To provide cover a consortium of 15 consultants working on a rota basis is being used.

All have previously worked at the Royal Infirmary's A&E department in the past.

It is the first time the consortium, using staff taking individual days off from other jobs, has been used in this country.

It will continue over the next six months and allow the trust to try new methods of working to help speed up treatment.

But the Trust is warning this will not mean the queues disappear as work still needs to be done in transferring patients from A and E to beds.

The Medical Director at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust Alan Cole said: "The A&E department is going through a big period of change particularly with new buildings and new working practices and I think new consultants were put off during this difficult period."