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Grandmother's 30-Hour A&E Wait Sparks Outrage
22 Oct
Summary
- An 86-year-old grandmother endured a 30-hour wait in A&E.
- Her family described her wait as an 'agonising' and 'disgraceful' experience.
- The hospital trust was rated among the worst in England for waiting times.
The family of an 86-year-old grandmother has called an "agonising" wait in an emergency department an "absolute disgrace." Joan Jones, from Ashton-in-Makerfield, suffered a collapsed gallbladder and experienced "constant pain" at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan. Her son reported that it took 30 hours for her to be admitted to a ward after arriving on Sunday, October 18th. He stated his mother was told she "wasn't a priority," witnessing other patients, including those brought in by police, receive faster treatment.
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust acknowledged the family's serious concerns. CEO Mary Fleming expressed sorrow and welcomed the opportunity to speak directly with the family. She cited increased demand and discharge delays as reasons for longer waits, assuring that patient care and safety remain paramount. The trust is actively working on improving patient experiences and developing alternatives to the emergency department, while ensuring treatment is always prioritized based on clinical need.
