Husband speaks of 'broken' NHS as wife left for 25 hours at A&E

70-year-old women had suspected appendicitis

- BY ELLIOT JESSETT, LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER

A LOVING husband said his wife was forced to wait more than 25 hours in a corridor after visiting Southport Hospital's Accident and Emergency department with suspected appendicitis.

Ralph Upton, 73, said his wife Carol, 70, was placed on a trolley among other elderly people, all lined up in the corridor, waiting desperately for a hospital bed.

After feeling unwell, Mr Upton took his wife to their local GP who suspected Mrs Upton was suffering from an appendicitis.

The couple were given a note by the GP detailing the symptoms and it was their understanding this would speed up the admittance process once they arrived at the hospital.

They got to Southport A&E department at about 12.30pm on Monday, June 23, but were still subject to the usual triage procedure and waiting time despite their GP's letter.

Mr Upton said: "The waiting room was absolutely heaving and they were having to ask friends and relatives to wait outside.

"The staff there were so nice and couldn't do enough for us but the reality was the place was completely overwhelmed. It's clear the system just isn't working.