Elderly woman 'dies alone in A&E corridor in full view of patients'

A distressed, elderly woman died alone in an A&E corridor in full view of other people waiting at a north Wales hospital, a visitor has claimed.

Nadia Wainwright said she witnessed the woman's final moments at Ysbty Glan Clwyd, before a paramedic intervened and placed a blanket over her face after she had died.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said it could not comment on an individual patient's circumstances but acknowledged the incident would have been "deeply upsetting".

A Welsh government spokeswoman said they it was "seeking assurance" from the health board on the circumstances.

Nadia said she was "deeply shocked" to witness the death at an "extremely overcrowded" A&E filled with "patients in chairs and beds lining the corridors".

She explained how her family noticed the "elderly, frail woman" lying alone in the corridor opposite them, while Nadia was attending the department with her unwell partner.

"My mother-in-law and I noticed that the patient did not seem to be moving," she said.

She said a paramedic walked past, so the pair tried to get his attention as the woman "appeared to be in distress and was making grunting noises" but "did not appear to be receiving attention".

"The paramedic then realised that she had passed away and began shouting for staff assistance, and it then took approximately five minutes for staff to respond and attend to the patient. During this time, the paramedic pulled the blanket over her face," she said.

"She had passed away alone in the corridor with no privacy and no one holding her hand".

Nadia said she understands the "huge pressure" on NHS staff but "no patient, especially an elderly and vulnerable person should be left alone in a corridor".

"This was extremely upsetting for us to witness, especially as I have never seen a deceased person before," she said.

"I can't stop thinking about it. I'm so angry. It was absolutely chaotic there.

Nadia said her mother helped another elderly lady in her 80s in the A&E department to empty her catheter, get a drink and call her family.

She said: "Some of the managers and directors of the health board should spend some time on these corridors. Perhaps they could sit with these patients. No one should be left to die unattended like that."

Tremeirchion councillor Chris Evans said: "There is no way that anybody should be dying in a corridor while staff are walking past."

Despite investment into Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, he says the "problem isn't getting sorted" and "people are dying without any dignity".

Rhyl councillor Brian Jones said: "This is another horrific example of the flaws in A&E in Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board."

Angela Wood, the board's executive director of nursing and midwifery, said they "recognise that witnessing a medical emergency or a patient who is critically unwell can be deeply upsetting".

She said the health board is "committed to providing care with dignity, compassion, and respect "and "corridor care is not something we want for our patients".

"At times some patients are not receiving the standard of environment or experience we would want for them, and we are absolutely committed to addressing this.

"We have been contacted directly by the author of the social media post and will be speaking with them to understand the circumstances in more detail."

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: "We are aware of the social media post and are seeking assurance from the health board on the circumstances."

They said "delivery of care in undesignated or non-clinical environments is not acceptable" and compromises patient dignity, safety, and staff wellbeing".

The Welsh Government aim to end this practice with "system-wide reform" and "have clearly outlined our expectations for health boards to reduce avoidable harm", said the spokesperson.

An additional £200m has been allocated to address pressures facing NHS Wales, they said.