There are major ambulance delays in Swindon as ‘all crews queue at the hospital’.
Early this morning (Tuesday), approximately ten ambulances were outside the Great Western Hospital’s emergency department waiting to offload patients.
“Crews have had no breaks and hospital does not have any food facilities at night”, an insider told Wiltshire 999s.
Adding: “Outer county crews have been attending local emergencies – some nine hours old are outstanding.”
Of six ambulance crews online at Swindon station in Queens Drive overnight, all six were at the hospital attempting to drop off patients.
Medics arriving for their day shift will take over from night crew – and will start their day in the queue.
Residents living in Swindon and the north of the county can expect long delays for emergency ambulances today, with crews from Bristol and Gloucestershire responding to calls locally.
A spokesperson for Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “Our urgent and emergency care services are currently extremely busy, which means some patients remain in the care of paramedics while we care for those with the most life-threatening conditions.
“We work closely with ambulance crews to ensure patients are treated in order of clinical urgency. The team in the Emergency Department also work closely with the Hospital Ambulance Liaison Officer, who ensures delays are kept to a minimum.
“Local people can also help by calling NHS 111 in the first instance, who can advise of the best healthcare options available.”
