THE trust which runs Worcestershire Royal Hospital has responded to claims a 76-year-old pensioner was left waiting 16 hours after suffering a suspected heart attack.

A Kidderminster man previously told how his father suffered a suspected heart attack was left waiting overnight in A&E.

John Farr, of Mallard Close, Worcester was left “disgusted” by the way he was treated at Worcestershire Royal Hospital’s A&E department. Richard Lawrence, who lives in Kidderminster, dropped his dad off at the hospital.

Mr Farr sat in the department's waiting room throughout the night before he was told he had fluid around his heart, suggesting he may have suffered a heart attack.

Worcestershire Acute  Hospitals NHS Trust said its emergency staff worked incredibly hard and always prioritised treatment.  

Matthew Hopkins, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: “Teams across our two emergency departments have been working incredibly hard to ensure patients receive appropriate and safe care throughout one of the most challenging periods in the history of the NHS.

“Our emergency departments have been very busy, with patient numbers well above what we were seeing this time two years ago. 

"Caring for so many people while also making sure that we protect our patients and staff from the risk of Covid-19 infection is a significant challenge, but one that our dedicated staff are rising to.”

He added: “Although we are unable to comment on individual cases due to patient confidentiality, our emergency department teams always triage and treat patients in order of clinical priority.

“If anyone feels that they have not been treated appropriately, we would encourage them to contact our Patient Advice Liaison Service, so we can investigate and respond directly.

“We would urge the public to contact NHS 111, either online or by calling 111 to receive free urgent care advice before attending our A&E department, and to only use 999 in a life-threatening emergency.”