What did Vanessa Andrews describe as 'inhumane' at the hospital?

Vanessa Andrews described the conditions in the emergency department as 'inhumane' after witnessing elderly patients endure lengthy waits on hard chairs.

How long was Vanessa Andrews' wait in the emergency department?

Vanessa Andrews experienced a 20-hour wait in the emergency department at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

What were the average daily patient numbers in Northern Ireland's emergency departments in December?

In December, Northern Ireland's emergency departments saw an average of nearly 2,600 patients per day.

Home / Health / Stroke survivor witnesses 'inhumane' hospital waits

Stroke survivor witnesses 'inhumane' hospital waits

5 Feb

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Summary

A stroke survivor experienced a 20-hour wait in an emergency department.
She observed elderly patients sitting for hours in difficult conditions.
Nearly 2,600 patients daily faced emergency department waits in December.

Stroke survivor witnesses 'inhumane' hospital waits

A stroke survivor, Vanessa Andrews, characterized the emergency department experience at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast as "inhumane" after enduring a 20-hour wait over the Christmas holidays.

She reported being "horrified and heartbroken" by the sight of elderly individuals waiting for extended periods on hard chairs. This harrowing observation occurred despite her own partial paralysis and reliance on a wheelchair following a stroke in 2024.

Data indicates that in December, emergency departments across Northern Ireland averaged almost 2,600 patients daily. The Belfast Health Trust has issued an apology for the prolonged waits, acknowledging the distress caused to patients. Consequently, Vanessa Andrews stated she will avoid emergency departments in the future.