A shocked relative of a Dundee woman – who was reportedly treated in a chair at Ninewells for 19 hours – has called for answers.
Carmen Cox says her elderly aunt’s treatment is what you’d expect in a “third world country” not Scotland.
She told us about the ordeal which she says left her 72-year-old relative “shattered and starving.”
Carmen’s aunt Barbara Pride was admitted to Ninewells last week.
She says: “She has COPD and diabetes and she hadn’t been well for about three weeks.
“So we got the doctor out to her on Wednesday. Her calcium levels were really low and she had a potential chest infection.
“She needed to go to hospital as a matter of urgency.
“The doctor called the ambulance around 5.30pm. It finally arrived at 1am.”
Paramedics helped
By this point, Barbara – who is terrified of hospitals – was tired from lack of sleep and anxious about going in.
Paramedics helped calm her and got her to Ninewells.
After an stressful wait of 19 hours, Carmen says she was contacted and asked to collect her aunt.
When she picked up her aunt, the full details of Barbara’s stay emerged.
“She was really upset when she got out, she wasn’t released until 8pm.
“She was shattered, starving and worse than she’d been when she went in.
“She’d been put in a ward called the Acute Medical Unit and was put in a chair. Then she said she was left in that chair for 19 hours.”
Assessed, investigated and treated
NHS Tayside’s online information states the Unit, formerly Ward 14 and Ward 15, is the area of the hospital where patients are assessed, investigated and treated for urgent medical problems.
Most patients come to the hospital directly from the community after assessment by their GP or community practice teams.
After an initial assessment, a plan for a patient’s healthcare needs is agreed.
This may include a “short period of time” under observation or receiving treatment.
Drip and treatment
Barbara received treatment including antibiotics and was put on a drip.
Carmen says she was concerned Barbara didn’t get a bed during her time there and wasn’t given enough to eat.
She adds: “In the morning she was given a piece of toast and nothing else.
“She had to ask for a sandwich and for a biscuit to take tablets. It just sounded to me like they’d put her in the chair and just left her.
“I don’t think it’s acceptable and I was angry – really angry.
“People shouldn’t be treated like that, it’s not on.
“You’d expect that in a third world country, not in Scotland. She’s worked all her life, been a taxpayer to be treated like this.
“I had my dog to the vet the other day and my dog got treated better.”
Unit treats those who don’t need a bed
A spokesperson for NHS Tayside says they’re unable to comment on matters relating to individual cases due to patient confidentiality.
But they confirm the unit treats patients who:
- Are assessed by medical staff on arrival.
- Don’t require a hospital bed.
- Are not seriously unwell.
- Are unlikely to need admission into hospital.
They add: “We are sorry Mrs Pride was unhappy with the care she received during her stay.
“Patients who need to remain in the unit for longer periods are cared for in specialist recliner chairs which allow patients to lie back comfortably with their feet raised.
“Food and drink is also provided for patients throughout their stay.
“The unit can be very busy and patients are informed that they may be there for several hours whilst they receive their treatment.
“However, nursing staff are on hand at all times to monitor and support patients.
“We would encourage any patient with concerns to speak to the nurse in charge.”
