Why Our Hospitals Are So Full, According to Top GP Amid 60-Hour Waits

Wigan: It’s been a tough time for hospitals lately. Patients are waiting up to 60 hours for a bed, and it feels like we’re back in the pandemic days.

This week, the NHS is really feeling the strain as winter hits. Reports are coming in of people waiting over 50 hours at Wigan’s Royal Albert Edward Infirmary.

Doctors say the emergency rooms are packed with patients suffering from Covid, flu, and RSV. A top GP in Greater Manchester explained that the high number of seriously ill patients is causing these long waits.

Dr. Helen Wall mentioned that people needing oxygen or IVs are the ones filling up the beds. She pointed out the signs that mean someone needs to be in the hospital, like trouble breathing or severe dehydration.

Patients have shared their experiences too. One guy, Dean Jennings, ended up in A&E after collapsing at home. He waited until Tuesday to get moved to a proper ward. He was treated for pneumonia and is still in the hospital.

Another patient heard from a doctor that waits could be over 50 hours for those needing admission. He spent hours in the crowded A&E before leaving without needing to stay overnight.

About 20 NHS trusts in England have declared critical incidents due to these long waits. Flu cases are on the rise, with over 5,400 patients hospitalized daily, which is a significant jump from last year.

Sarah Brennan, the Chief Operating Officer for the local NHS trust, acknowledged the high demand during winter and apologized for the long waits. She reassured everyone that patient safety is the top priority and urged people to use emergency services only for serious issues.

The situation is tough, with many patients stuck in ambulances for over an hour waiting for beds. There are also patients who are ready to go home but can’t because there’s no care available for them.

Colin Scales from NHS Greater Manchester expressed regret for the long waits and emphasized that they are working hard to improve the situation. He noted that while the hospitals are managing, they are uncertain about how much longer the flu surge will last.