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"Frustrated by long wait"

About: Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow / Accident & Emergency

(as a relative),

My mother who is in her 60s has been since 10:30 in A&E, now that I am writing this at 3:40 pm she still has not been seen by the doctor. We can understand she is not a priority because is not a life-threating case but it is more than 5 hours waiting and her symptoms are getting worse. I asked twice in reception and they cannot give us an average time for when they will see her and the only answer is there is not space for her to be seen. It becomes a bit frustrating to experience how many patients who came after her have been called by the nurses or health workers. I wonder if it is because she is not a resident in UK that’s why she has still not been assisted by a health care professional? This is a shame that I can think this way but it is my thoughts and how I feel just now. I contributed here because my mother has the right to be seen and treated with dignity and respect.

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Responses

Response from Karen Hughes, Senior Charge Nurse, Emergency Department and Minor Injuries Units, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and New Victoria Hospital), NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 3 weeks ago
Karen Hughes
Senior Charge Nurse, Emergency Department and Minor Injuries Units, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and New Victoria Hospital),
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Senior charge nurse & emergency nurse practitioner within the ED & Miu of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital

Submitted on 07/11/2025 at 12:54
Published on Care Opinion at 12:54


picture of Karen Hughes

Dear Espanola en apuros,

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience, and I’m truly sorry to hear about the distressing situation you and your mother were facing. Waiting for assessment—especially when symptoms are worsening—is understandably upsetting, and your concern is completely valid.

I want to acknowledge how frustrating it must feel to see others being called ahead, especially without clear communication from staff. Long waits in A&E can happen due to a range of factors, including the severity of cases being treated, bed availability, and staffing levels. Patients are always seen according to need and not time of arrival but all should be treated with dignity, respect, and fairness and I am sorry you felt this was not the case. I will reiterate to staff about the importance of updating the waiting room regarding the increase in waiting times and to assess waiting patients to make sure any issues are responded to.

Regarding your concern about race or residency status affecting the delay: I want to reassure you that NHS care is provided based on clinical need, not nationality, race, or residency. The triage system prioritises patients according to the urgency of their condition, which is determine at triage after a history and baseline observations are taken. I am sorry if you felt your mother's care and wait was based on her nationality and not need. If you feel that your mother has been treated unfairly, you absolutely have the right to raise this formally through the NHS complaints process, and it will be taken seriously. please contact our Complaints Team@ ggc.complaints@nhs.scot.

if I can be of any other assistance please don't hesitate to contact me at karen.hughes@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

with kind regards,

Karen

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