A WOMAN from Prestatyn has criticised the ordeal experienced by her daughter when she attended Ysbyty Glan Clwyd’s emergency department.

Maggie Sutherland’s adult daughter, who asked not to be named, was advised by her GP to go to the Bodelwyddan hospital’s emergency department (ED) on November 21 due to “serious breathing problems”.

Emergency departments are under “immense pressure” currently, says the health board, with wait times longer than usual.

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This was the experience of Mrs Sutherland’s daughter, who went immediately from visiting her GP to Glan Clwyd.

Upon arriving at 2.30pm, “she was told by a receptionist that there is a 10-hour wait, and it would be even longer to see a clinician”.

Although not blaming the hospital staff, Maggie added that her daughter’s experience overnight left much to be desired.

“She had bloods done and was advised she had a clot, but until a CT scan was taken, they didn’t know where the clot was,” Maggie said.

“She was given blood thinners, antibiotics and steroids, administered in the waiting room, and was left sitting in a chair until 1am on November 22.

“At that point, she was given more blood thinners and medication for her breathing. She wasn’t offered anything, including food and drink, in that time.

“She stayed in the ED all night in a chair and didn’t see anyone until the morning, when she was given a CT scan and advised that the clot had dispersed and that she could go home with no follow-up medication.

“She was surrounded by people, some of whom had been left sitting in the waiting room for 48 hours-plus waiting for beds.”

Dr Nick Lyons, executive medical director at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said emergency departments in North Wales has been under “immense pressure” recently.

He said: “We are very sorry to hear one of our patients is unhappy with the care they received and we would encourage them to contact us directly with any concerns.

“Our EDs have been under immense pressure in the last few weeks, resulting in longer waiting times, despite the best efforts of our nursing and medical staff.

“We urge the public to help us; patients who do not need full emergency hospital treatment may find that they can get appropriate advice and care from other NHS services, including minor injuries and local pharmacies.

“Please visit the health board’s website if you are unsure where to go.”

But Mrs Sutherland, whose late husband John founded Rhyl-based company Vanguard Communications, said she believes the problem is more widespread.

She said: “I’m not blaming the staff at Glan Clwyd at all. It’s the fault of a system which is absolutely falling to pieces.

“It’s not just Glan Clwyd that things like this are happening; it’s everywhere, because there’s not enough money being put in by Welsh Government to look after people the way that they need to be.

“How can they make the changes they need to make if the funding isn’t there to make them?

“This is happening to families all over Wales, not just mine, and I want to speak up for those people who deserve to be looked after properly.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said action was being taken to support emergency care in North Wales.

They added: “The health minister is in regular contact with the health board chair and has made clear the improvements that are needed.

“Through the special measures process we have set out the wider improvements and quality of care we expect to see in emergency departments. We continue to closely monitor progress.

“In support, we have allocated an additional £6million to the health board over the past two years for its local urgent and emergency care improvement programme, and £400,000 to improve the environment in emergency departments in North Wales.”