Heart attack victim’s GP appointment delay fears
A RUNCORN woman has raised concerns over a lack of available appointments at a town centre doctors’ surgery despite her suffering a heart attack and fearing she could suffer catastrophic bleeding.
Elaine Mowbray, 78, rang Grove House practice last month while suffering pain in her right shoulder, and was told she could see someone in a week’s time.
But because the pain was so severe, she attended Halton General Hospital urgent care centre, where doctors found her blood pressure was sky high at 247 over 122 and she was then rushed to Warrington ● because she was suffering a heart attack.
She then had an aneurysm in her wrist and was transferred to the Countess Of Chester Hospital for an operation to repair the damage.
During her stays as an in-patient, she had been prescribed a bloodthinning medicine – adding to the blood thinner she was already on.
After she was discharged, the surgery wound continued to bleed, triggering fears between her and her husband Brian, 79, she was on too many kinds of thinners.
After phoning around, she was unable to find an urgent appointment, even trying to call Grove House during the cancellations window early in the morning at 8.30am.
But she was told the earliest appointment she could have would be the following Tuesday, June 18, leaving Elaine and Brian worried about how she would fare in the meantime.
Elaine said she was ‘so frustrated’ with the situation.
Brian said: “We spoke to Grove House and they said we can’t speak to anyone till next Tuesday. She could have bled to death by then.
“We’ve also contacted the walk-in centre and they can’t see us again till next Wednesday (June 19).
“Bridgewater treatment centre won’t see her till next week.”
A Grove House spokeswoman said: “I can confirm that the practice is unable to comment on any of the points below due to patient confidentially.
“The practice has a robust system in place to deal with requests for consultations and works closely with the CCG, its federation and the community team to offer a good standard of care with the patient at the centre of everything we do.
“We encourage patients to contact their practice manager about any concerns they may have.” ● POLICE executed two drugs warrants in the space of a day in a Widnes neighbourhood.
Officers in Appleton undertook the raids on Monday, July 1.
The first took place on Alder Avenue and a police dog was also in attendance.
Officers took to social media to post pictures of a door which had been breached during the incident.
However, a Cheshire police spokeswoman confirmed the warrant was ‘negative’.
A second raid was later conducted on Greenway Road and led to a 46-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of supplying crack cocaine and heroin, but has since had no further action taken against him.