A mother recounts the distressing scene at Wales’ largest hospital as her daughter suffers a fit in a crowded A&E waiting room
Cardiff: A mother is sharing her heartbreaking experience at the University Hospital of Wales. She took her daughter there after she had a fit, only to find chaos in the A&E department.
The daughter, who has epilepsy, usually gets quick care due to her medical history. But on that Saturday evening, things went sideways. Instead of being rushed in, she was left fitting in front of other patients.
The mom described it as an “absolute disaster.” They arrived around 6 PM, knowing it was better to drive than wait for an ambulance. Normally, they’d go straight to the resuscitation ward, but that night was different.
“It was absolute carnage,” she said. Staff were overwhelmed, running around, and her daughter was left in a waiting room while having a fit. After about 25 minutes, they finally got taken to the right area.
What’s even scarier is that the waiting room wasn’t even full. The mom worried about what it would be like if it had been packed. She noticed broken sinks, non-working toilets, and patients stuck in chairs overnight. It felt like there was no funding at all.
She expressed frustration at the Welsh Government, questioning how they could ask for more members of Senedd when the healthcare system is struggling so much. After a long night, they had to leave because there were no beds available for her daughter.
Now, she’s left wondering when they’ll have to return. Cardiff and Vale University Health Board has been asked to comment on the situation, and the Welsh Government has expressed regret over the family’s experience.
