Colchester Hospital patient 'left in corridor for three days'

Natalie Lazarus, 44, took herself to Colchester Hospital, run by the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Trust, on Friday after her mental health started to deteriorate.

Her dad, Mike Broad, 74, says she was placed in a hallway while the hospital liaised with the Essex Partnership University Trust’s Peter Bruff mental health ward.

She remained in the corridor, reportedly without any hot food, for three days.

Mr Broad, whose wife of 58 years is Pamela, also 74, of Holland-on-Sea, claims his daughter was one of several mental health patients left on beds in the hallway.

He also said they were not checked over by staff upon arriving at the hospital and therefore Natalie’s diabetic requirements went undetected.

The foster carer says his daughter was eventually taken to the Peter Bruff mental health ward, at the Kingswood Centre on the hospital site, but not until Monday night.

“I have a lot of time for the NHS and I have always supported the workers 110 per cent but this is not right these patients were segregated and left,” said Mr Broad.

“I know they are struggling and up against it and on their knees but you do not leave people in a corridor my daughter was broken and in tears and going downhill.

“I had to take them sausage and chips in so they had something hot to eat and the staff did not even know my daughter was diabetic.

“Apparently, they even said to my daughter they might have had to send her to Manchester because they could not put her anywhere because of the bed shortage.”

Thankfully, Natalie is now receiving the help she needs but Mr Broad believes the NHS needs a complete overhaul.

The father-of-five added: “The quality has gone down the swanny and now we are all just numbers we are not people anymore and it just makes you feel worthless.

“But it is not just about the money, it is about everything else that is going on and how these workers are being treated.

“These hospitals need total reform and someone needs to look at this situation with open eyes.”

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Health bosses have now apologised to Natalie and her dad, saying she was left in a corridor for three days due to an increased demand for beds.

Dr Angela Tillett is the chief medical officer at the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Trust, the body which runs Colchester Hospital.

She said: “We are very sorry to hear the concerns raised about Natalie’s care.

“We would encourage any concerns to be raised with our dedicated patient advice and liaison service.

“It’s been an incredibly challenging time for the NHS and our teams are working extremely hard to make sure patients are cared for as quickly as possible.

“For some patients this does mean that care will be provided in a corridor to ensure every patient is seen in a safe and timely manner.”

Bosses at the Essex Partnership University NHS Trust, which runs the Peter Bruff mental health ward, have also said sorry.

A spokesman said: “There is currently an increased demand for mental health beds nationally; this is reflected in north east Essex.

“We extend our apologies to anyone who is experiencing a delay in receiving inpatient mental health care.

“We are working closely with other services and our partners to manage bed allocation and do all we can to ensure patients in need receive the most appropriate care and support.”