‘Sheer desperation’ felt by A&E staff admitted by trust

An investigation into whistleblowing claims which described patients “hanging off trolleys” and “vomiting down corridors” in a crowded emergency department has upheld most of the concerns.

It comes after a staff member at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Foundation Trust wrote to the chief executive and trust’s commissioners after working a weekend shift within the emergency department at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby.

In their original email, sent in January 2020, the anonymous whistleblower said they were writing out of “sheer desperation for the safety of patients”.

They added: “I have never in my whole career seen patients hanging off trolleys, vomiting down corridors, having [electrocardiograms] down corridors, patients desperate for the toilet, desperate for a drink. Basic human care is not being given safely or adequately…"

“Your hospital is full, your A&E department is over-flowing, you are expecting staff to manage treble the amount of patients in majors and resus than they would do normally, without breaks, this is not safe. They cannot provide that care – which is evident.”

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Source: HSJ, 7 November 2021