An image taken inside a Liverpool hospital has highlighted the crisis facing the National Health Service.
The picture shows a number of patients lying on a corridor of the new Royal Liverpool Hospital. Some of the patients have relatives stood waiting with them, others have paramedic staff by their side.
The shot was taken by Liverpool Councillor Barry Kushner, who was waiting in the hospital with his 92-year-old cousin.. He said his elderly relative had been waiting in that same corridor since 9.30am and at 5.25pm had been told that no ward spaces would be available until the next day.
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He tweeted: "The Royal tonight. Corridors full of patients. Paramedics providing nursing care, so can't staff ambulances. Nurses not really coping. My 92 year old cousin been here since 9.30am. It's 17.25. No ward until tomorrow. This is Tory UK."
Speaking about what he witnessed in the hospital, the Labour councillor told the ECHO : "It is so grim. I am so upset about it. I've never seen a hospital in this state.
"This is the managed decline of the NHS. The point we have reached after 12 years of Tory disinvestment in public services. It is like the hospital is in the middle of a serious incident. But actually the response to my posts shows this grim situation is happening all over the country. The NHS has collapsed."
The picture was shared widely on social media, with many commenting on the worrying situation facing the health service right now. Others reported their own concerning experiences at hospitals.
One said: "Just been to York hospital. A and E waiting time was 7 hours at 5pm. Corridors exactly like your photo. Queuing to get checked in. Absolutely scandalous."
Another shared: "My wife was left sitting on Monday night from 8pm till 8am in Aintree Hospital waiting room. she had an x-ray at 9pm that clearly shows 2 broken bones in her lower leg. operated on Wednesday." Another Aintree user added: "My husband was in Aintree on a Saturday night at 11pm. He was discharged on Monday after from A & E. No bed found. Staff were literally bumping into each other there was so little room amongst all the beds."
In October a paramedic described scenes outside the new Royal Liverpool Hospital as "carnage", with ambulances queuing for hours outside the facility, unable to hand patients over because of a lack of beds. The ambulance worker said crews were having to continue to treat patients on the ambulances while they wait for beds to free up.
Speaking about the current pressures, Dr Jim Gardner, Chief Medical Officer at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It is widely recognised that Emergency Departments across the country are facing significant pressures. Despite these incredibly challenging circumstances, our staff are working extremely hard to care for patients as quickly as possible, and I thank them for their continued commitment and dedication.
“Work is ongoing to help alleviate pressures within our hospitals, particularly around patients who no longer require acute care. This includes utilising newly opened dedicated bed space at Broadgreen Hospital to support those who need ongoing assessment and intervention ahead of their discharge home. We are also continuing to work closely with our local partners in adult and social care to ensure patients are discharged safely and in timely manner into community and social care.
“To help support our teams who are caring for our sickest patients, local communities can help us by only using A&E when it is an emergency, and to contact NHS 111 to find alternative services if they have less urgent concerns.”
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