Waits of ‘more than 14 hours’ as A&E pressure increases
SWANSEA Bay health bosses have admitted that the authority is currently dealing with “extremely high pressures” after reports that people have been forced to wait more than 14 hours to be seen at A&E.
The NHS across Wales is facing daily challenges as the country continues to deal with high rates of coronavirus cases, more than 18 months since the pandemic broke out in early 2020.
First Minister Mark Drakeford has warned that restrictions could be reinstated in the next few weeks if case numbers don’t drop.
That increased pressure on hospitals seems evident at Swansea’s Morriston Hospital – which is managed by Swansea Bay University Health Board – with a number of people taking to social media on Friday morning to share their concerns regarding waiting times.
One man warned people to take a sleeping bag and some food if attending the hospital’s A&E department after he was told that waiting times were as high as 14-and-a-half hours. Another man said he took his mother to the hospital and she had to wait more than 10 hours to be seen, while some have mentioned waiting times of up to a shocking 36 hours.
One woman said she was sent to the A&E department from her local GP recently and ended up waiting 16 hours to be seen. She also noted that there were ambulances waiting outside waiting to unload patients, something she admitted was “quite upsetting to see”.
Another woman said she spent two days in A&E and that there were a lot of people waiting with what would only be described as “minor injuries”, before adding that the situation had developed into a “crisis”. She said: “There’s just no need for it. People really need to think – can they wait a few hours for the doctors to open?
“They will probably send you there anyway. The poor staff are burned out – it’s a total crisis. It needs major investment. Something needs to change.”
It comes after the health board urged families this week to care for relatives ready to leave hospital themselves at home if possible, to ease pressure on bed space, adding that there were 250 people stuck in hospital who did not need to be there.
The concerns raised by members of the public were put to Swansea Bay University Health Board on Friday. It did not deny that waiting times at Morriston Hospital were currently high, and would not be drawn on whether the delays in providing care were down to a lack of staff related to Covid-19. They also would not comment on whether or not the current situation was the worst one faced by Morriston Hospital or the region in general since the coronavirus outbreak began.
A spokeswoman for the health board said: “Morriston Hospital and its emergency department is under extremely high pressures as we continue to manage Covidrelated demands whilst trying to deliver other services. It comes as the NHS faces unprecedented challenges to meet demands on the health and social care services. “Our dedicated staff have worked extremely hard over the past 19 months or so, and are continuing to do so. While they are doing their absolute best, they are also frustrated that there are delays in delivering care.” The health board also seemed to echo a concern raised by one frustrated patient who asked whether patients could seek alternatives to accident and emergency care. “The public can help us by remembering that the emergency department is intended for serious injuries and illness,” the spokeswoman added. “If their condition is not that serious they should consider alternatives including visiting our Minor Injury Unit in Neath Port Talbot Hospital, using the online 111 symptom checker, or visiting their local pharmacist. We would also like to remind people that if they have a relative or loved one in hospital who is well enough to go home, but is waiting to be discharged with homecare and community health support, they may be able to help them to get home more quickly if families are in a position to support them at home. Please speak to the ward manager if you think you can help.”
There’s just no need for it. People really need to think - can they wait a few hours for the doctors to open? A&E patient