Loose Women star Denise Welch has made a shocking revelation about her recent hospital experience, 

claiming that she was only allocated a bed after someone recognised her and contacted the press. 

The 66-year-old actress and television personality was rushed to A&E with acute peritonitis shortly after returning from a trip to the Caribbean.

A Lengthy Wait for Treatment

Speaking on Loose Women, Denise recounted her ordeal, explaining that she was left waiting for 24 hours in the Accident and Emergency department without a hospital bed. 

Despite receiving medical attention, she was repeatedly told that no bed was available for her.

“I’m going to say this. I was in hospital a few weeks ago,” she began. “I was rushed into hospital. I was alright, but I was in A&E for 24 hours. Now, they were looking after me, but there was no bed. They kept saying, ‘There’s no bed.’”

Denise went on to claim that it wasn’t until her presence was noticed by someone who called the press that she was finally given a bed. “Somebody spotted me and phoned the press – and I was in a bed in 15 minutes,” she revealed.

Her admission left the studio audience audibly shocked, highlighting the ongoing strain on the National Health Service (NHS) and its resources.

A Growing NHS Crisis

Denise’s story came up as the Loose Women panel discussed a concerning job advert for a ‘corridor care’ doctor, posted by a Sussex hospital. The position was created in response to the increasing overcrowding issues in NHS hospitals, which have led to patients being treated in hallways due to a lack of available beds.

The discussion touched on the wider crisis within the NHS, particularly the alarming rise in ‘corridor care’ across UK hospitals. Recent data has shown that a significant number of NHS doctors have been forced to provide treatment in temporary and unsuitable conditions due to overcrowding.

Government Response and Medical Concerns

In response to the growing concerns, fellow panellist Charlene White read a statement from the Department of Health and Social Care. The statement acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, saying:

“It’s shocking that corridor care has become a feature of our NHS. We will deliver reform and investment through our plan for change so the NHS is there when we need it once again.”

However, despite government reassurances, medical professionals continue to raise concerns about the impact of overcrowding on patient safety and dignity. A recent poll conducted by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) highlighted the severity of the situation, revealing that nearly four in five doctors have been forced to provide care in corridors, waiting rooms, and other temporary spaces over the past month.

Out of the 961 medics surveyed, 78% admitted to treating patients in makeshift environments. Among them, 45% had provided care in hospital corridors, while 27% had treated patients in additional chairs or beds placed within patient bays. Furthermore, 13% had administered care in wards without dedicated bed spaces, and 9% had been forced to treat patients in waiting rooms. A worrying 4.5% reported having to use spaces not designed for medical care, such as bathrooms.

The Reality of ‘Corridor Care’

Doctors and healthcare professionals have voiced their frustrations, with many stating that these conditions severely compromise patient safety and privacy. One medic described the situation as a “travesty,” while others warned that makeshift care environments put both patients and staff at risk.

Corridor care has become a distressing reality for many UK hospitals, with overwhelmed medical staff struggling to balance high patient demand and limited resources. Many patients, like Denise Welch, are left waiting for long periods before receiving proper care, raising concerns about the overall quality of treatment within the NHS.

Denise’s Story Sparks Debate

Denise’s revelation has reignited public debate about the current state of the healthcare system. Many viewers took to social media to express their concern, with some criticising the NHS’s inability to provide adequate care while others highlighted the unfair advantage that comes with celebrity status.

While Denise was fortunate to receive a bed due to media attention, her experience sheds light on the thousands of patients who endure similar—if not worse—delays without any intervention. Her story serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by the NHS and the urgent need for change.

As the government continues to discuss reforms, healthcare professionals and patients alike hope that action will be taken to address overcrowding and improve patient care across the country. For now, however, stories like Denise’s highlight the grim reality of an overburdened system struggling to meet demand.

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