I'm not sure where this should be posted, the situation is as it is because of incompetence somewhere down the line but it's not the fault of those at the frontline I wouldn't have though.
Someone I know has a condition that is so alarming they decided to cut out the GP and head straight to A&E at Glan Clwyd. They arrived at 10.45a.m. on Wednesday where they waited until today Thursday A.M. before proper tests and examinations were being done. The investigations demonstrated that they should be kept in the hospital but no beds were available until finally at 3.30pm one was allocated to them. Not on a ward but in the hallway outside. They were told the average wait for a bed is 40 hours.
You have been warned.
How on earth did we arrive at this situation?
Many people don't know about the existence of SDEC (Same Day Emergency Care), the one at Glan Clwyd is down at the end of the main corridor just past the Lifts. Worth bearing in mind if you phone 111 or speak to a GP to get a referral into SDEC:
SDEC stands for Same Day Emergency Care. It's a service within the NHS designed to assess, diagnose, and treat emergency patients on the same day, avoiding hospital admission. This aims to reduce waiting times, hospital stays, and improve patient experience.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Purpose:
SDEC provides an alternative to traditional A&E and hospital admissions for patients who can be safely treated and discharged within the same day.
How it works:
Patients are rapidly assessed, diagnosed, and treated in a hospital setting, but without needing to stay overnight.
Benefits:
SDEC offers several advantages, including:
Reduced waiting times: Patients are seen and treated more quickly.
Lower admission rates: Many patients can be managed without being admitted.
Improved patient experience: SDEC can lead to shorter and more efficient care.
Cost savings: Both for the hospital and sometimes for the patient.
Referral:
SDEC is not a walk-in service, and patients are usually referred through various channels:
GPs
Community teams
NHS 111
Ambulances
Emergency departments
Conditions treated:
SDEC can handle a wide range of conditions, including medical, surgical, and specialist cases like paediatrics and gynaecology. Examples of conditions treated in SDEC include:
Headaches
Acute kidney infections
Leg swelling (without injury)
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Abdominal pain
Anaemia
Seizures
Dizziness
Abnormal bloods
Liver problems
Cardiac arrhythmias
Gastrointestinal problems
Urology issues.
Duration of stay:
The average patient spends 4-6 hours in SDEC, but it can vary depending on the investigations and treatment required.