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Pensioner stranded for hours at hospital
A frail and diabetic pensioner from Hemel Hempstead was stranded at Watford Hospital for four hours without her insulin while she waited for transport home.
Mary Robins, 75, had already been picked up late by hospital transport and forced to join the back of the queue for her appointment on Monday, February 4.
She was collected from her care home on Alexandra Road just five minutes before her 3.20pm appointment.
Her husband, Les, 79, said: "By the time we got to the hospital we were far too late and had to wait another two hours to be seen.
"When we came out it was after 6pm and the nurse called for us to have transport home but we just sat there and sat there and eventually it came at 10.45pm.
"It's a disgusting way to treat any patient, but for a diabetic
person who hadn't had her insulin it's unacceptable."
Les, who lives in Northchurch, says staff at the hospital gave the couple tea and toast while they waited, but it was of little comfort and he plans to put his concern in writing.
The Herts Primary Care Trust (PCT) blamed the wait endured by Mrs Robins on an 'unusually high' demand for patient transport after 6pm.
Non-emergency transport services run 8am to 6pm and a PCT spokesman said the after-hours services had been stretched in the last few weeks but had now been increased to cope with the demand.
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Weather for Hemel Hempstead
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
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Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
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