FROM recent experience, I fear that patients having to spend the night on trolleys in the Accident & Emergency department at the Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow, due to "an unprecedented spike in activity for the time of year" are not alone ("NHS boss says sorry after beds shortage", The Herald, June 5).
A similar situation prevailed on Tuesday (June 3) at Hairmyres Hospital, run by NHS Lanarkshire. My 85-year-old mother arrived by ambulance just after 1.30pm following a fall in which she fractured her sternum and wrist.
It was clear that A&E was swamped and during the afternoon an announcement was made that those with minor injuries or ailments should try to make their way to Wishaw General Hospital, which was apparently less busy. A number of the "walking wounded" availed themselves of this advice.
My mother's lengthy examination and treatment were concluded around 7.30pm.
However, we were then told she would most likely have to spend the night on a trolley in the A&E department, as no beds were available in the entire hospital.
After bitterly complaining to the senior nurse, who in turn referred the matter to the on-site senior manager, a bed was found for my mother about 1am, almost 12 hours after her arrival. It is my understanding that others in A&E at the time may not have been so "lucky".
I have no gripe with the on-duty staff, nurses and doctors, who were apologetic and clearly doing their best under difficult circumstances. My concern lies in the apparent inability and/or lack of foresight of senior NHS managers to ensure that sufficient resources are available, along with admission beds, for those who require them.
Yes, demand can fluctuate and wards unexpectedly close due to infection (as appears to have been the case), but surely contingency plans similar to those which already exist to deal with major incidents - the most extreme form of "unexpected spike" in demand - could and should be put timeously into operation to safeguard patient care?
Most worrying of all is the suggestion, albeit anecdotal, that this situation is in fact not as uncommon as those in authority in the NHS and indeed the Scottish Government, would have us believe.
C Campbell,
13 Calderglen Road,
East Kilbride.
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