Residents are outraged by the lengthy A&E waiting times at Watford General Hospital – with some saying they have had to wait for up to 10 hours.
Many patients took to social media to share their concerns at the delays, with one describing their experience as “awful”.
Watford’s A&E department is under severe pressure, like many others across the country, as the NHS continues to struggle due to the continuing pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic and staff shortages.
On a Facebook post about the hospital, which received more than 50 comments, residents said they have experienced waiting times of four and 10 hours.
A resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “I have phoned Watford hospital who did not seem surprised. I am afraid I did not realise what a terrible state our NHS was in and for locals the situation is really serious.
“I am over 80 but wanted to get up and shout ‘let me help get this place organised’. Chaos was putting it mildly; children were all over the place, there was no separation for anyone and people with broken bones waiting for hours.
“I got a cab there and back without seeing a doctor. I gave up.”
Speaking on the hospital’s A&E waiting times, Dean Russell, MP for Watford, said: “This issue is not unique to Watford; it is the picture nationally. I know that at Watford General recruitment is underway to grow the emergency department’s team.
“It is the case that the current layout limits capacity, which is why it’s so important to press on with plans for a new emergency care hospital at Watford. Crucially despite longer waits, patients are kept safe.”
Elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said: “I have long campaigned for increased investment in Watford General Hospital and the refurbishment to the hospital that the government has promised.
“However, we are not unique in Watford; the government needs to invest more generally in the NHS to ensure patients, staff and volunteers alike have the best services.
“The last two years have put a lot of pressure on the NHS and highlighted the need for more investment in their vital services. Our hospitals have been at the forefront of the pandemic and have at times been overwhelmed by the sheer numbers requiring care.
“We must ensure that hospital staff and facilities get the funding they need to deliver the life-saving work they do every day.”
West Herts Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Watford General Hospital, has been contacted for comment.
Waiting in a queue for half an hour to see reception is very difficult for many people……a simple hand rail would help a lot