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19 hours on a trolley in new admissions unit, claims mum
A woman claims her daughter spent 19 hours on a trolley with no pillow in the new admissions unit at Watford General Hospital.
Wendy Brinkworth took her 29-year-old daughter - who has problems with her thyroid - to the urgent care centre in Hemel Hempstead after she collapsed.
She was checked and found to have suffered a cardiac arrest so she was taken by ambulance to the acute admissions unit at Watford last Monday. (March 30)
Mrs Brinkworth, of Woodview in Gadebridge, says her daughter then stayed on the trolley from 1pm to 7.30am the next day until a bed on a ward was found.
She is now on medication while doctors decide the next step.
"Physically they can't cope," Mrs Brinkworth said.
She said on one occasion it took more than an hour during the rush hour to visit her daughter.
"They should never have closed so much of the hospital in Hemel, especially when we have all these houses being built," she said.
Meanwhile pensioner Dennis Graham, of Gadebridge Road in Hemel Hempstead, has been told he must find his own way to Watford for his prostate operation on April 15 at 7am.
The 73 year old claims he asked for transport from his home but was told he was not eligible.
"I have limited mobility. I don't have a car," he said.
"How can I get from my address to Watford hospital at seven o'clock in the morning?"
Campaigners are compiling a dossier of people's experiences since the closure of A&E and acute services in Hemel Hempstead in March.
Dacorum Hospital Action Group (DHAG) will be presenting its findings to West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust and healthcare watchdogs.
Member Edie Glatter said: "There are all sorts of issues around transport and big issues around capacity."
In a statement the trust said: "Due to patient confidentiality, we cannot discuss individual cases, but if a formal complaint is made it will be thoroughly investigated by the trust.
"The new acute admissions unit (AAU) at Watford General Hospital was successfully opened on March 9 and is working extremely well.
"The urgent care centre at Hemel Hempstead Hospital is also performing well and meeting targets.
"At Watford General Hospital we have increased patient and disabled car parking spaces, and have made additional disabled car parking outside the AAU.
"If your reader would like to discuss any issues they should contact the complaints department on 01923 217866."
To tell DHAG your story contact Mrs Glatter on 01442 254447 or CLICK HERE.
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Weather for Hemel Hempstead
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: West
