June 30th 2024.
A woman named Madeleine Butcher found herself lying on the floor of the Accident and Emergency department at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. She had arrived at 3am with her husband John and was told by the staff that she might have to wait 36 hours to be admitted. This was concerning news for Madeleine as she was already suffering from a terminal illness and had recently learned that she may have sepsis.
Madeleine, who had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2022, was in a lot of discomfort due to a hernia from a previous hysterectomy and the location of her tumor. She asked the staff if there was a bed, trolley, or even a reclining chair she could use, but unfortunately, there was nothing available. In the end, the doctor gave her a blanket and a pillow so she could lie on the floor. Her husband John, who works at a garden center, was horrified by the situation.
He couldn't believe that in this day and age, a terminally ill patient would be left lying on the floor for such a long period of time. He was filled with anger and frustration, especially when he saw the photo of his wife lying on the floor. After half an hour, the nurses noticed what was happening and managed to find a trolley for Madeleine to lie on. However, she wasn't admitted to a ward until Wednesday evening and is currently receiving treatment for sepsis.
John took his wife to the hospital after she developed symptoms resembling an infection. She received blood tests and saw a doctor within three and a half hours, where she was told she would have to wait for a bed. John believes that the situation could have been resolved immediately and is frustrated by the lack of resources and staff in the hospital. He has made a formal complaint to the Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
He recalls that the hospital didn't seem overly busy at the time, but he acknowledges that he couldn't see how short-staffed they were. He understands that the staff are under immense pressure and may make mistakes in such a chaotic environment. He believes that this issue has been ongoing for decades, dating back to Margaret Thatcher's era, and that nothing has improved since then. He is also concerned about the increasing privatization of the NHS and the unequal access to healthcare.
Madeleine, a mother of two, has been in and out of the hospital for treatment of sepsis multiple times since her cancer diagnosis. Her husband is frustrated with the system and how difficult it is for his wife to receive the necessary treatment when her condition flares up. He praises some of the staff for their hard work but believes that there are not enough resources in place to handle the high volume of patients.
John states that the most frustrating part for them is that they are well aware of what treatment Madeleine needs, but they still have to go through the lengthy assessment and waiting process, even if her oncologist has already requested her admission. He also mentions the unpleasant atmosphere of the A&E department, filled with loud and disruptive individuals.
Madeleine had undergone a full hysterectomy 18 months ago, but unfortunately, it was discovered that her cancer had spread and was now considered terminal. The acting executive director of nursing, midwifery, allied health professionals, and quality at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Marie Forshaw, expressed her apologies to Madeleine for the quality of care she received. She assured that any complaints are taken seriously and thoroughly reviewed to make necessary improvements.
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