92-year-old Glasgow man waits nearly 13 hours for bed in hospital ward
He waited six hours just to get an ambulance.
Last updated 30th Aug 2021
A Glasgow man is telling Clyde News the NHS is "in a state of crisis" after his 92-year-old dad waited 6 hours for an ambulance and nearly 13 hours more for a bed once he arrived at hospital after falling at home last week.
James was picked up by an ambulance just after 1 o'clock on Friday morning despite his daughter calling 999 six hours before.
He then had to wait a further two hours inside the vehicle with drivers before being allowed to go inside the A&E department at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
His son, who didn't want to be identified, said: "Once he finally got in the building he was told there were no ward beds available at that point.
"He had to be put into a room in A&E where he was treated and diagnosed, but he had to sit there for nearly 13 hours until he was moved, on Friday afternoon, to the acute receiving unit.
"My dad is still there because there is still not a hospital bed for him in a proper ward."
"He might not have made it"
James' son feels as though his father wasn't a priority for health staff despite the fact he had no power in his legs to stand up and he was becoming more distressed as time passed.
"It is utterly astonishing that a man of this age has been put in this situation.
"He might not have made it."
"I didn't realise quite how broken the NHS is"
James' son added: "I think the biggest shock is that I didn't realise quite how broken the NHS is in Scotland.
"The ambulance service seems to be in an utter shambolic state and a 13-hour wait in A&E seems inexplicable to me as well."
"He has been on a drip and is slowly regaining his strength"
The 92-year-old's condition seems to be improving and he has responded well to the treatment he has received from staff.
"Thankfully my dad is feeling much better.
"He has been on a drip and is slowly regaining his strength.
"Doctors have told me that once he finally gets to a ward he will only spend a few days there before coming home."
A spokesperson for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: "We are sorry to hear this gentleman’s family are unhappy with his treatment.
"Nationally, we are seeing a very significant demand on health services including Emergency Departments and receiving units which are seeing an increased number of patients with a broad range of conditions.
"This means our clinical staff are extremely busy caring for those additional patients as well as those presenting with COVID whilst at the same time maintaining enhanced infection control precautions for all.
"We would be happy to talk to the family about their concerns if they wish to get in touch."
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We are still in the midst of a global pandemic and the NHS is facing significant challenges.
"Despite the pressure coronavirus has brought upon our ambulance service, which serves some of the most rural areas in the UK, in 2020-21 crews responded to over 70% of highest priority calls in under 10 minutes and more than 99% in under 30 minutes.
"The ambulance service is carrying out a national review of demand and capacity to ensure it has the resources in place to meet current and projected future demand, resulting in an additional £10.5 million announced last year and further investment planned this year.
"As well as the review, work is ongoing across the Scottish Ambulance Service to tackle turnaround times at Emergency Departments.”