Hospital struggles with ‘time-wasters’

Whistle-blower claims holidaymakers are clogging up A & E

HOLIDAYMAKERS are turning up to the emergency department of Cornwall’s main hospital for trivial reasons, according to a member of the NHS staff, adding to the massive pressure on doctors and nurses.

The employee, who works at Accident & Emergency, spoke out to say colleagues are reduced to tears almost daily as medical staff battle to keep up with demand from sometimes “abusive” visitors.

The source claimed one person went to the emergency department at Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske – while 18 ambulances queued outside – because his ring was “too tight” on his finger.

“People who are coming, believe it or not, are mostly holidaymakers at the moment. They are using our main hospital as a drop-off. I’ve had a grown man come in with a sore throat while ambulances are queuing outside. They are coming in and holding up a nurse, who has to triage them because they are duty bound to do that, when he was going home tomorrow anyway.

“It’s just absolutely ridiculous and they could go to their GP. Lots of them already know they are sick when they are travelling down and they still come.”

In addition, the employee said, patients are rude, abusive and regularly leave nurses crying. “We have

staff leaving because they just can’t cope anymore with the stress and it’s soul-destroying. I don’t want to stop doing this but I have had days where I have thought I might have to.”

The employee said the attitude of some people was appalling while other patients, who have genuine health emergencies, are holding off coming to hospital.

“One man with actual chest pains didn’t want to call an ambulance or come in because he thought he was wasting our time,” said the staff member. “He should have called one really but he got himself up to hospital and it’s people like that that need our help.”

In a statement, the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust said it was “exceptionally busy” with the emergency department and minor injury unit seeing around 700 patients every day. The booming staycation summer, as a result of holidays abroad being largely off limits through coronavirus, has pushed up demand.

The hospital reminded people that the first port of call for a nonlife-threatening or serious matter should always be their own GP – even while on holiday.

“When your surgery is closed and it really can’t wait until the next day, call 111 or go online at www.111.nhs.uk.“