‘We were stting next to a Covid patient in A&E’

OVER CHAOS IN CASUALTY

A COUPLE have raised concerns about practices at Leicester Royal Infirmary, saying a patient sitting next to them in the emergency department claimed she had Covid-19.

Nicola Jackson was taken to the infirmary on Tuesday, August 10 by her partner, Wayne Goodwin, after calling 999.

The 49-year-old who suffers from complex regional pain syndrome had been in “excruciating pain” for weeks after being told she was on a waiting list for an MRI scan. But when the pain worsened, they called an ambulance.

The pair were told by a paramedic after an initial assessment that if they went to the hospital by car themselves they would be seen more quickly and would not have to go through a second assessment on arrival.

But when they got there, they were met by an “extremely busy” waiting area.

“We were sat down and a lady tapped my partner on the shoulder and said ‘excuse me I’m sorry, but you might not want to sit there as I’m Covid positive,’” Wayne said.

The pair said they quickly moved away in panic.

“There was a folding screen, like a partition there, but it wasn’t even in use,” said Wayne.

“It was the busiest I had seen A&E. The same time last year I was in A&E for something different and it was completely empty and lots of it taped off - now it’s a very different situation.

“If my girlfriend had caught Covid from that she wouldn’t be very well at all - her dad died from it last March.”

University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust is investigating the complaint. The Mercury understands that patients who have tested positive for Covid-19 or have symptoms of the virus are asked to wait in a designated area.

Patients are also asked to attend the emergency department alone where possible.

Latest figures show that Leicestershire’s hospitals treated 4,000 more patients than usual in A&E in June, an insight into increased pressure the NHS has been under.

A trust spokesman said: “We’re sorry to hear the patient had concerns about her experience and we are investigating a complaint.

“Our emergency department teams are working tirelessly to care for patients in high numbers usually only seen in winter.”

East Midlands Ambulance Service is also facing high demand at the moment. Compared to July 2019, calls during July 2021 were up 40 per cent, equating to about 1,000 more calls per day.

Richard Lyne, East Midlands Ambulance Service Divisional Director for Leicestershire and Rutland, explained why the couple had been asked to travel to hospital themselves: “Whilst understandably uncomfortable for the patient, severe leg pain isn’t a lifethreatening or serious emergency..

“When we’re under significant pressure we have to prioritise patients whose life is at immediate risk.”

COUPLE FILE COMPLAINT