Patients’ 28hr wait for care
Labour blast ‘danger’ of SNP failure
PATIENTS at an Ayrshire hospital spent up to 28 hours on trolleys in corridors while waiting for treatment, with some spending three days on recliner chairs before being admitted, a report claims.
Inspectors at Healthcare Improvement Scotland visited University Hospital Crosshouse in Kilmarnock in May and found incidents of patients waiting for treatment in the combined assessment unit (CAU) for a full day, being cared for in mixed sex bays, overcrowding and staff shortages.
A report published yesterday showed older adults waiting to receive treatment did not always have care needs such as personal hygiene or food and nutrition met.
The longest stay for patients within CAU and corridors was between 19 and 28 hours. Patients could often sleep in recliner chairs for up to three days, inspectors were told, increasing the risk of pressure sores.
Inspectors felt NHS Ayrshire and Arran was unable to show it could manage these patients safely and managers did not have sufficient oversight of care provided in accident and emergency and CAU areas of the hospital.
Additional beds were found in some six-bay wards that did not have oxygen facilities or power outlets for monitoring equipment.
When inspectors challenged hospital bosses, they were advised staff should check patients met the clinical criteria to be placed in an additional bed.
During the inspection, the fire alarm sounded but staff were not able to move patients because they did not know how.
The report also recognised the staff shortages and high number of vacancies within the health board.
NHS Ayrshre and Arran has been asked for comment.
Scottish Labour’s Jackie Baillie said: “This shocking report has lifted the lid on the SNP’s continual failure to support our NHS.
“Despite the heroic efforts of NHS staff, patients are being put in danger on a daily basis due to SNP neglect.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Patient safety is a key priority.
“We expect NHS Ayrshire and Arran to address any outstanding concerns Healthcare Improvement Scotland have identified as a matter of urgency, and will support them to do so.”