A great-grandfather was forced to sleep on a hospital floor for over 12 hours despite being in immense pain and struggling to breathe.
Martin Wakely was rushed to the hospital on October 27 after struggling to breathe.
Despite gasping for breath for hours, the 75-year-old was not seen by anyone after arriving in an ambulance at around midday.
Mr Wakely resorted to sleeping on top of his dressing gown on the hospital floor after waiting for hours. He was later diagnosed with pneumonia.
His wife Tracy, 63, compared the level of care to that of a “third-world” country.
The former council property inspector, from Bobbing, Kent said: “It was heart-breaking seeing someone I love put through it.”
Martin Wakely was rushed to Medway Maritime Hospital, in Kent after Tracy became concerned he was struggling to breathe.
Tracey, who has been married to her husband Martin for 23 years, said: “It’s disgusting that he has worked all his life, paid all his taxes, done everything right and he ends up on the floor with the rubbish.
“I’ve got nothing against the people who were there because they can only work with what they’ve got but the whole thing is stretched too far.”
Mr Wakely’s ordeal was made even worse as he has Multiple Sclerosis (MS), which means he is unable to sit up for long periods.
An apology has been issued by bosses at Medway NHS Foundation Trust who run the hospital.
Alongside the apology, they added that they were continuing to see a high number of patients who needed admitting for treatment.
“I knew the NHS was in a state but until you’re actually in that situation or you’re there in amongst it you don’t realise how bad it is,” said Mrs Wakely.
“It’s like what you imagine a hospital in a third-world country would be like. It is disgusting.”
Sarah Vaux, interim chief nursing officer for Medway NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are extremely sorry for Mr Wakely’s experience and for the distress caused to him and his family.
“As soon as staff were aware Mr Wakely was lying on the floor he was moved on to a trolley for his comfort.
‘Our hospital is very busy as we continue to see a high number of patients in our Emergency Department who need admitting for treatment.
“We are sorry that this means some patients wait longer than we would like and that at times patients may have to be moved to an alternative and safe location where we have a range of measures in place to support them.
“Our staff are working tirelessly to provide the best possible care for patients at all times.
“We encourage patients who have any concerns about their care to contact us directly so that we can address and learn from the issues raised.”
