Staff lift lid on A&E crisis

Five hospital employees have been praised for lifting the lid on an acute staff and beds shortage at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital.

Both Mr Michael Gwynne, Telford & Wrekin coroner, and Chris Ward, son-in-law of an 80-year-old widow who died after waiting seven hours to see a doctor, commended the five women for highlighting the crisis - and Mr Ward said he hoped there were "no reprisals".

Hospital chiefs have apologised and promised more nurses, better initial diagnosis and measures to prevent "bed blocking".

Mr Ward, of Lilleshall, said: "The family is so grateful to these nurses for giving evidence and we hope there are no reprisals against them. They are very brave to speak out in today's society."

The issues were highlighted at the inquest of retired civil servant Kathleen Mobbs, of Oldfield Road, Dawley. She was sent to hospital after a 999 call from her GP Paul Spencer during a home visit on November 14 last year.

But all the beds in the Medical Assessment Unit - which is supposed to be the destination for GP admissions - were full.

Mrs Mobbs was instead taken to an overstretched A&E department, admitted at 1.25pm, did not see a doctor until 8.30pm and died at 9.20pm from previously undiagnosed terminal cancer.

Yesterday's inquest heard from emergency room acting manager Vanessa Roberts, Sisters Barbara Williams and Kim Parsons and Staff Nurses Caroline Burns and Yvonne Gough.

All said there was a dire shortage of staff and beds, with GP patients and "ordinary" emergency cases regularly waiting for hours in casualty, or being kept in corridors or ambulances.

Sister Parsons, who was in charge that afternoon, said all the nurses in A&E felt stressed because their mission was to provide the best care possible for sick and injured people.

"We support each other . . . but as each hour passes, patients become more agitated and start taking it out on the staff," she said.

Mr Gwynne praised the nurses, saying he understood their nervousness about speaking out in public. "I firmly believe the death of Mrs Mobbs was the catalyst for change," he said.

By Peter Johnson