86-year-old Joan waits 30 hours in hospital, suffering in pain

The family of an elderly woman has alleged that she faced an excessively long wait in the emergency department of a hospital in Wigan, UK. They claim that Joan Jones, who was suffering from complications related to her gallbladder, was only moved to a hospital ward after 30 hours.

86-year-old Joan Jones had to wait nearly 30 hours for medical treatment in the emergency department of the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan, Greater Manchester. Her family reports that she was in agony throughout this long wait, and at one point, she was left sitting on a chair in the waiting area for more than 24 hours.

According to reports from the BBC and the *Manchester Evening News*, Joan’s son, Barry Jones, stated that his mother was suffering from serious gallbladder complications and was in constant pain while waiting. The family says it took approximately 30 hours from the time she arrived at the hospital for her to be transferred to a ward.

An Ordeal in the Waiting Area

According to Barry, Joan was taken to the hospital by ambulance in the early hours of Sunday, October 18. The family alleges that despite the long wait, she was not promptly moved to a ward.

Barry noted that his mother had become so exhausted and frail that other patients in the waiting area questioned why she was being kept there. After repeated requests for assistance, Joan was eventually provided with a pillow and later placed on a trolley-bed in a corridor.

Barry claims that a nurse told him his mother was not being prioritized. He described the entire situation as "unbelievable."

Allegations of Priority Given to Patients Arriving with Police

Barry further alleged that individuals who arrived at the hospital accompanied by police were given priority for treatment, while his mother was left to wait for an extended period. The hospital authorities have not provided a specific comment regarding this claim.

Generally, the priority for patient treatment in an emergency department is determined by the severity of a patient's physical condition and the urgency of their medical needs—rather than simply the order in which they arrived at the hospital. Angela, Joanne’s daughter, described her mother’s experience as emotionally distressing. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that elderly patients receive appropriate care.

Statement from Hospital Authorities

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which manages the hospital, stated that it takes the family’s concerns very seriously. The authorities noted that reducing waiting times is one of their top priorities.

Mary Fleming, the Trust’s Chief Executive, expressed regret regarding the family’s concerns. She explained that an increased influx of patients requiring urgent and immediate care, combined with delays in discharging patients from the hospital, has resulted in some individuals waiting longer than expected.

According to Fleming, efforts are underway to reduce waiting times and improve the patient experience. She added that, even under significant pressure, the hospital remains committed to providing care based on the clinical needs of each patient.

Previous Concerns Regarding the Hospital’s Emergency Department

The Care Quality Commission (CQC)—the body responsible for inspecting healthcare services in England—has previously raised concerns about long waiting times in the emergency department at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary.

A BBC report indicates that a recent inspection highlighted serious concerns regarding instances where patients waited for more than 12 hours within the Trust’s emergency department.

The issue of the wait for Joanne’s treatment has emerged through the complaints raised by her family and the responses provided by the hospital authorities. However, the report does not state that every stage of her personal medical care or the specific duration of her waits has been independently verified.