One man’s experience of the Royal Blackburn Hospital has left him fearing for the future of the NHS as he saw a system that was “quite simply, overwhelmed.”
Richard Stephenson was forced to visit accident and emergency after his wife, Letiza fell ill on Monday night – experiencing symptoms including nausea and she was struggling to speak with her heart rate deteriorating rapidly.
Arriving at the hospital he found his wife a wheelchair and says he was struck by the claustrophobic area where they sat for the remainder of the night.
However, the quality of care could not be faulted but he was shocked to be told by a nurse that, after seeing a doctor, the wait for a bed could be up to three days.
Richard said: “The staff, from the administrators to the triage nurses and doctors, are doing their utmost to provide care under challenging conditions.
“But there are undeniable pressures. The lack of hospital beds is a major issue, leading to the overflow of patients into A&E.
“More support is needed, both in terms of staffing and infrastructure. Better triage systems and spaces for those who do not require immediate treatment would help alleviate the burden on A&E doctors.”
On Wednesday, Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health, told the Labour Party Conference that the NHS was broken receiving significant criticism from health officials.
In recent weeks, the government has claimed cancer is a "death sentence" because of NHS failings, while maternity services "shame" the nation.
Richard also noticed that the corridors were already lined with patients in bed and waiting for places in wards.
The Lancashire Telegraph revealed earlier this year that an average of 68 patients were left waiting for admission on hospital corridors at the Royal Blackburn Hospital.
A health turnaround programme, known as a ‘recovery board’ was launched in May by the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board which ensured ‘zero corridor days’ for hospitals in Lancashire and South Cumbria.
READ MORE: Blackburn Rovers fan's 'undignified' death on hospital corridor due to NHS pressures
He added: “What was most apparent, however, was the professionalism of the staff. The nurses and doctors we interacted with were exceptional — skilled, compassionate, and dedicated.
“One nurse, in particular, stood out as someone who embodied the best of the NHS. Yet, they were fighting an uphill battle, trying to work within a system that is, quite simply, overwhelmed.”
He claimed the overcrowding had created a bottleneck, backing up the system and preventing those with emergencies from being seen promptly.
He also explained that the architecture and layout of the A&E needed addressing with cramped spaces, low ceilings and crowded hallways not being conducive to a calm environment.
Whilst waiting for the doctor, Letiza's condition improved and they left the hospital without consultation.
Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, Sharon Gilligan, said: "The A&E at Royal Blackburn is one of the busiest emergency departments in the North West and we are regularly breaking records for the number of people who come in for treatment each week and this includes a lot of very poorly people who need to be admitted for further care.
"Unfortunately when all cubicles are full with patients, we don't have any choice but to use corridor space. It is not something any of us want to do but when there is no other available space, it is our only option. Please be assured that whilst patients are waiting for a bed, they are being cared for, reviewed, assessed and supported by colleagues.
"We are constantly looking for ways we can create more capacity in the Emergency Department and reviewing how we work to improve our patients' experience but this is being done against a backdrop of increasing numbers of people needing medical help and a rise in the complexity of health needs.
"The team could not be doing any more to support patients and their families in an extremely pressured and challenged environment – and I want to thank them for their ongoing hard work and resilience.
"Please help us by only attending A&E if you have medical needs that are life threatening – otherwise NHS 111 has clinicians who can immediately guide you to the most appropriate place for help, including GP surgeries and pharmacies."
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