A Wrexham woman with Parkinson's disease has waited more than 19 hours in A&E after being advised to visit for a suspected blood clot. 

Joanne Ellis, age 54, was sent directly to A&E after attending a GP appointment at 4pm on Thursday, March 23.

Over 19 hours later at 11am on Friday, March 24, Joanne was still waiting to receive a CT scan.

Joanne, from Rossett, had remained in the waiting room the entire time, except when having an x-ray and blood tests. 

Speaking to The Leader, Joanne's daughter, Hannah Mcdonald said her mum was feeling "rubbish".

She said: "She's not slept for over 24 hours. Her Parkinson's is worse because of all this and her mental health is also suffering due to it all. 

"She's in pain every time she coughs or breathes."

Hannah went on to describe the situation in A&E as "shocking", saying: "It's inhumane the way it's run and is so understaffed and lacking in so many areas."

Hannah added that she felt the issue didn't lie in the staff. 

In response to Joanne's situation, Michelle Greene, Director of BCUHB’s East Integrated Health Community, said: “The Emergency Department at Wrexham Maelor Hospital has been extremely busy in recent days, resulting in much longer waiting times than we would like for our patients, despite the best efforts of our hard working nursing and medical staff.

"I apologise to all those who have faced long waits to be treated and discharged, or to be transferred to a hospital bed.

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“We are working tirelessly to ensure that patients are seen in order of clinical priority as quickly and as safely as possible.

"While we have significantly improved waiting times at the Emergency Department in recent months as a result of some of the changes put in place, we recognise that at times some patients wait longer than we aspire to.

“Patients who do not need full emergency hospital treatment may find that they can get appropriate advice and care from other NHS services, including minor injuries units and local pharmacies, details of which are available on the health board website, or by calling NHS 111 Wales."