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Elderly Woman Dies Alone in Hospital Corridor
4 Mar
Summary
- Elderly woman died alone in an A&E corridor.
- Witnesses report overcrowding and lack of staff attention.
- Health board acknowledges distress and overcrowding issues.
A distressing event occurred at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd's A&E department, where a woman reportedly witnessed an elderly patient pass away alone in a corridor. The witness described the department as extremely overcrowded, with patients and beds filling the hallways, leading to a lack of privacy and care.
According to the witness, staff were not immediately attentive to the elderly woman's distress. A paramedic eventually intervened after the patient had passed, covering her face to preserve dignity. This incident has sparked criticism from local councillors regarding the health board's management.
The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board acknowledged the incident, stating that corridor care is not their desired standard. They cited significant pressures on UK NHS emergency departments, common across the country, and are implementing improvements to address patient flow and reduce wait times.
A Welsh Government spokesperson also commented, deeming care in undesignated areas unacceptable and compromising dignity and safety. They are seeking assurances from the health board and have allocated additional funding to manage staffing and emergency care services.
