Share review of Wrexham Maelor Hospital

Wrexham Maelor Hospital 2017-03-06 Person 4 5 0

Waiting room in process of being upgraded so very overcrowded and there was a power cut while I was there which meant that the hospital was running on emergency power. Despite this I found the medical staff - triage nurse, nurse practitioner and consultant very caring, sympathetic, and efficient in diagnosing my broken elbow. The main problem which the staff were having to deal with was the fact that there were 5 ambulances outside and no beds in the hospital. Due to the fact I was seen in the minor injuries department I was able to go home in just under 4 hours but it was announced to all people waiting to be seen as I was going to the minor injuries unit that people who needed to be examined on a bed were not able to be seen as there was nowhere for them to be examined. This announcement was made because some people were getting upset at other people being seen before them who had come in after them. Having experienced visiting the Wrexham Maelor Hospital on a regular basis in the last 3 years due to 2 elderly parents being there I became aware of the fact that when I first started visiting the hospital there were 3 rehabilitation units for the elderly awaiting care packages before being discharged, now there is only 1. I am aware that social services are supposed to be arranging care etc for these patients who no longer need medical care, but I also know how long it takes to organise care packages. As an outsider it seems to me that surely reopening the 2 closed rehabilitation wards would then release far more medical beds for patients needing them and take the pressure off A&E. Also, in today's local paper (6 March) it states that hundreds of patients are not turning up for appointments thus wasting thousands of pounds of money. If these inconsiderate people were fined - or named and shamed? Perhaps they would think twice about doing it again and allow people who really need medical assistance be seen sooner. I understand that all hospitals are under a great deal of pressure at the moment but once again I can only praise the kindness, patience and care shown to me personally by all the staff I came into contact with.