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WHTH response to Dispatches: ‘Undercover ambulance’

Posted: 6 March 2023

Picture of Watford Hospital;

A member of the East of England Ambulance Trust (who has since resigned) has provided undercover footage from Watford General Hospital's emergency department to be used in an episode of 'Dispatches' which airs on Thursday 9 March on Channel 4.

A trust spokesperson said: "We saw unprecedented demand for urgent and emergency services over the winter, seeing around 500 patients daily. Like many NHS hospitals, the pressures were compounded by a peak in flu as well as still managing Covid cases. We were caring for a large number of seriously ill patients.

"Together with partners across the NHS and wider care system, we are working hard to improve the flow through our hospitals.

"Emergency care patients are treated in order of clinical priority and this can mean long waits for those whose injury or illness does not require urgent attention. We monitor patients whilst they are waiting to ensure they are safe and have had pain relief and hydration, if needed.

"Our emergency care teams do a great job in challenging circumstances. We are incredibly proud of them and thank them for their resilience and compassion as they strive to provide the best care possible."

Ends

  1. For more information, please contact the communications team on: 01923 436280 or email: westherts.communications@nhs.net. For out of hours media enquiries please call the Watford General Hospital switchboard on 01923 244366 and ask for the on call communications manager.
  2. West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves people from across Hertfordshire, north London and further afield. It operates from three hospitals; Watford General, St Albans City and Hemel Hempstead. The trust has a catchment area of over 500,000 people and is one of the largest employers locally, with around 5,000 staff and volunteers.
  3. For more information about our hospitals, visit www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk. You can also join our followers on Twitter (twitter.com/westhertsNHS) and find us on Facebook (facebook.com/westhertsNHS).