Norma Campbell

1. 1. inadequate staffing and medical facilities

   “The inquest heard that the A&E department at Whipps Cross Hospital often has inadequate staffing and medical facilities to address the patient numbers and acuity. The inquest heard that overcrowding in A&E is a national concern.”

2. 2. patients in corridors

   “The inquest heard that it is not uncommon to find patients in corridors when they need to be monitored. On the 13 January 2024 there were more than 25 patients in the corridors. They were not receiving an appropriate level of care.”

3. 3. insufficient resuscitation beds

   “There are often insufficient numbers of resuscitation beds. Patients who require a resuscitation area level of care are often directed to the majors area of A&E. The majors area lacks the levels of staffing and lacks the monitoring equipment required to treat this cohort of patients. In the absence of increased numbers of resuscitation beds, a system for continuous monitoring of observations in majors would significantly improve patient care.”

4. 4. absence of electronic observation system

   “There is no electronic observation system in place within the A&E department of Whipps Cross Hospital (such as Live Note). Patients presenting with high NEWS scores are not therefore automatically brought to the attention of clinical supervisors.”

5. 5. CCOT not attending A&E for deteriorating patients

   “The Critical Care Outreach Team (CCOT) do not currently attend A&E for deteriorating patients. The overcrowding and lack of resourcing in A&E highlights the need for the CCOT to provide support to A&E patients as well as patients on the ward.”

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