Twelve-hour trolley waits 'absolutely appalling'

More than 1,000 patients waited on trolleys for more than 12 hours at Scarborough Hospital

The number of people waiting on trolleys for more than 12 hours at a North Yorkshire hospital has been described as "absolutely appalling" by the boss of one NHS trust.

A report has revealed 1,057 patients waited on trolleys for more than 12 hours at Scarborough Hospital in December, during an '"incredibly tough" winter period.

Simon Morritt, the chief executive of the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, praised hospital staff for "working tremendously hard to provide safe care".

It comes after the planned opening of Scarborough Hospital's new £47m urgent and emergency care centre (UECC) in November was delayed until spring this year, due to a malfunctioning boiler.

Alternative pathways

Speaking at an NHS Trust board meeting this week, Mr Morritt said it was "impossible to ignore the increased activity coming through the doors of our emergency departments".

"The usual increase in flu cases and other seasonal viruses arrived earlier than last year, adding to the pressures," he said.

The report, presented to the board on Wednesday, acknowledged the number of 12 hour-plus trolley waits last month was "very high".

Martin Barkley, chair of the York and Scarborough NHS Trust, described the number of people waiting on trolleys for more than 12 hours as "absolutely appalling".

He noted, however, that the figures showed a 10% improvement compared to a year ago.

Figures released by NHS England confirmed 2024 was the busiest year ever for emergency departments and ambulance services in England, while December saw the highest number of ambulance incidents recorded in a single month.

Covid, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Norovirus have impacted hospital admissions across the region - and, more widely, across England.

Nationally, the number of patients in hospital with Norovirus was up by 50% compared with the same period last year, and the number of children in hospital with RSV was up by 47%.

To help "manage and maintain flow" at the hospital, Mr Morritt said the Trust had been "focusing on discharge - ensuring discharge planning starts as early as possible following an admission".

He added: "We are also supporting teams to optimise alternative pathways, such as the virtual wards, the Urgent Treatment Centre, and the assessment areas - to make sure that we only admit patients if we absolutely must."

"In addition, we are continuing to encourage staff to have their flu and Covid vaccinations," he concluded.

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