Grandmother Waits 12 Hours at Essex Hospital, Calls It Filthy and Disgusting
A grandmother waited 12 hours at an Essex hospital, calling it filthy with bowls of sick everywhere, raising serious concerns about cleanliness.
Basildon, Essex, UK, Hospital, A&E, Cleanliness, Patient Experience
Basildon: A grandmother named Pat Rackley is really upset about her experience at Basildon Hospital. She went there after getting hit by a supermarket trolley over Christmas. Pat, who’s 75, waited a whopping 12 hours in the A&E, and she described it as “filthy” and “atrocious.”
She said there were 11 bowls of sick just sitting on the floor and broken toilets everywhere. Pat was in a lot of pain and was worried because she’s in remission from cancer. She was advised by her doctor to go to A&E, but the state of the place made her feel even worse.
Pat mentioned that the wheelchair she got didn’t even have brakes, which is pretty concerning. The toilets were in bad shape too—some were out of order, and there was water all over the floor. She couldn’t believe how dirty it was, and it really made her feel uneasy.
She tried asking staff to clean up the mess, but nothing happened. After her visit, she even caught a stomach bug, which she thinks might be linked to the hospital’s cleanliness. Plus, the coffee machine was broken, so no hot drinks for anyone waiting around.
Pat felt lost in the chaos, saying it wasn’t clear if you needed a ticket or how long the wait would be. The smell was awful, and when she finally left, there were issues with parking payment. It sounds like a nightmare, especially during the busy holiday season.
Fiona Ryan, the managing director for Basildon Hospital, acknowledged that things were hectic during that time and apologized for the cleanliness issues. She encouraged Pat to reach out to their patient advice service to address her concerns. It’s a tough situation, and Pat just wants better for everyone who visits the hospital.