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A&E slow poor care, lack of beds and discrimination

Posted By Roxysut

"A&E slow poor care, lack of beds and discrimination"

About: Derriford Hospital / Accident and emergency

(as the patient),

Arrived by ambulance after having a seizure. Left to wait for five hours on a chair in A&E. Even after the doctor saw me and a treatment plan agreed, I was left to sit in a chair. When I asked for a bed as I was feeling extremely unwell, faint and dizzy I was repeatedly told no beds in the whole hospital. 

I believe that staff are not trained in line with NICE guidelines. 

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Responses

Response from Alison Stanton, Complaints and PALS Manager, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust last week
Alison Stanton
Complaints and PALS Manager,
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Submitted on 21/10/2025 at 17:45
Published on Care Opinion at 17:45

picture of Alison Stanton

Dear Roxysut

I am very sorry to hear about your experience when you attended our Emergency Department.

All patients that arrive by ambulance go through a rapid assessment area triage where they are seen by a senior member of nursing and/or medical staff and are assessed as "fit to sit" based on this assessment and findings. Due to overcrowding, we are unable to provide all patients with a trolley to lay down on and the limited spaces are prioritised to those patients depending on their acuity and frailty. This leads to uncomfortable and difficult decisions to be made by those working in the department.

There are no currently NICE guidelines relating to which patient groups are given a trolley. Our response to your concerns is limited without your individual details of your stay and medical history. If you would like a more detailed and personal response to your concerns, please contact our Patient Advice & Liaison Service (PALS) on 01752 439884, or email them at plh-tr.PALS@nhs.net to provide your personal information.
Please quote reference PALS 84054 when getting in touch so that we can align any future contact from you with this posting.

Ongoing works continue for the new Emergency Department, which should increase the footprint of the Emergency Department therefore providing more space and dignity and comfort for our patients in the near future.

Thank you

Emma Jenkins

Sister - ED

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