The Independent has seen records that show patients are waiting almost 50 hours for a bed in accident and emergency departments – including children with serious mental health problems – amid warnings a winter crisis in the NHS is already underway.
The information shows multiple patients at Royal Preston Hospital in Lancashire have faced lengthy waits for a bed in recent days with some spending in excess of 40 hours before getting a bed. One patient last week spent at least 47 hours in the A&E with staff warning the long waits are a regular occurrence.
Full story in The Independent, 18 October 2021